Reconciling Reality With Fantasy: Exploration of the Sociocultural Factors Influencing HIV Transmission Among Black Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (BYMSM) Within the House Ball Community: A Chicago Study

Abstract

Studies involving the House Ball Community (HBC) have found high rates of HIV prevalence and undiagnosed HIV infection, as well as unique social and sexual network-related HIV risk and protective behaviors (Murrill et al., 2008; Sanchez, Finlayson, Murrill, Guilin, & Dean, 2010). Efforts to understand culturally appropriate and effective methods of HIV prevention services within the relatively understudied HBC are scarce (Phillips, Peterson, Binson, Hidalgo, & Magnus, 2011). This qualitative study, utilizing a diffusion of innovation theoretical framework, aimed to explore social norms regarding HIV and accessibility of HIV prevention services within the HBC. Thirty-seven participants (16 community leaders and 21 youths) engaged in focus group discussions. Participants discussed the perceptions of HIV and stigmatization within the HBC, general and HBC-specific risk factors for HIV transmission, as well as HIV prevention needs and strategies for culturally appropriate HIV interventions. Findings from this qualitative study highlight both the vulnerability of the HBC to HIV transmission and the corresponding support for HIV prevention interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• GBT social communities
• HIV prevention
• House Ball Community
• HIV intervention approaches