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"Is Silk open tonight?": Lessons learned from Project Silk, an HIV prevention demonstration project for young African American MSM and transgender people
METHODS: Quantitative data for safe space utilization, HIV CTRS, linkage to care, and ancillary service provision outcomes were collected via CDC reporting mechanisms in year 1 (2013). Qualitative data assessing barriers/challenges were collected by an independent process evaluator who recorded 32 meetings and interviews with staff, stakeholders, and participants, and coded these data for themes.
RESULTS: 323 unique participants utilized the Project Silk safe space (median age=17). 28.4% (n=213) of total estimated County target population accessed the space (mid-year mean=8.0 visits/person), achieving community-level diffusion. 55.7% of participants reported ancillary service needs, with employment (29.7%) and housing (25.1%) most requested. 6.3% of target population members receiving HIV CTRS (n=64) were newly diagnosed as HIV-positive; 20.3% reported previously testing HIV-positive. 93.8% of HIV-positive participants were linked/re-engaged in HIV care services. Three key programmatic challenges emerged: violence between participants; peer worker difficulties managing personal and professional spheres; and HIV-related stigma among participants.
CONCLUSION: Targeted HIV prevention, testing, and linkage/re-engagement in high-prevalence populations can be effectively provided in dedicated recreational safe spaces offering comprehensive social services. We will discuss strategies addressing interpersonal violence, peer worker boundary-setting, and HIV-related stigma to maximize programmatic effectiveness.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsConduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe the first-year findings of a combination, high-impact HIV prevention model for young African American MSM and transgender people.
Discuss lessons learned from a demonstration project using innovative approaches to target a high-prevalence risk group.
Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), African American
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted HIV prevention and care research, prevention, and policy planning for 18 years, with a specialization in hard-to-reach populations, including young African American MSM and transgender people.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.