The Pennsylvania Department of Health Northcentral District Office and a community-based AIDS agency developed a partnership targeting rural men who have sex with men (MSM) for HIV prevention activities including counseling, testing, syphilis screening, influenza vaccine, initial hepatitis B immunization, condom distribution and health promotion. Via key gay gatekeeper interviews and focus groups, the partnership identified two gay bars and summer picnics for themed parties incorporating prevention. Over 500 rural MSM participated in the parties. The program demonstrated the application of health promotion planning and adult education theory in accessing and targeting MSM. The aim of the program was important because rural America is where the "second wave" of the epidemic is occurring. Rural MSM are practicing high-risk sexual behaviors to a greater degree than their urban peers. Yet, rural communities often provide "watered-down" education for MSM that has little application. This program offers a blue-print for replication in other communities.
Learning Objectives: The learner will: 1) Enhance their understanding of rural culture in relation to HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM); 2) Understand barriers in rural communities to accessing MSM for HIV antibody counseling and testing; 3) Recognize role of health education theory in its application to applied programming in the rural MSM community; 4) Recognize importance of public, private and university networks in targeting the rural MSM community for HIV antibody counseling and testing; 5) Develop ideas for applied methods to provide health education and HIV counseling/testing in the rural MSM community
Keywords: Gay Men, Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.