Perceptions of a community-based HIV/STI testing program among Black gay, bisexual, and other MSM in Baltimore: a qualitative analysis

ABSTRACT

Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and STIs. Safe Spaces 4 Sexual Health (SS4SH), a community-informed, status-neutral HIV/STI testing intervention combines online outreach via geo-social networking apps and social media with mobile van testing. During 2018–2019, we recruited 25 participants for interviews about their perceptions of SS4SH compared to clinic-based testing. Participants were aged 21–65 years (mean 35); 22 (88%) identified as Black/African American; 20 (80%) identified as gay; and 10 (40%) were living with HIV. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a modified thematic constant comparative approach. Five themes emerged; two related to perceptions of online outreach materials (participants were drawn to eye-catching and to-the-point messages and desired more diversity and representation in messages), and three related to preference for the mobile van (participants found SS4SH provided more comfort, more privacy/confidentiality, and increased accessibility and efficiency). GBM is increasingly using geo-social networking apps to meet sexual partners, and tailored online outreach has the potential to reach historically underserved populations. SS4SH is a barrier-reducing strategy that may serve as an entry to a status-neutral approach to services and help reduce stigma and normalize accessing HIV services.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• sexually transmitted infections
• black sexual minority men
• health disparities
• qualitative analysis
• SDG3 good health and well-being
• SDG 10 reduced inequalities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) award U01PS005115.