New Publication from DC CFAR Investigator, Marc Siegel, MD


September 6, 2018

Marc Siegel, MD Photo
 
This article discusses a pilot study funded by an NIH CFAR Administrative Supplement that examined whether a culturally-tailored counseling center for young Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) positively impacts their access and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).  BMSM in the United States have been shown to have a disproportionately high rate of HIV, while also having low uptake of PrEP. The authors cite the difficulty in finding PrEP-literate providers as a barrier to uptake.  In this study, 50 young BMSM were randomized to either the PrEP counseling center group or a control group, and were then encouraged to obtain PrEP from a PrEP provider. Results included that at the end of the three month study, six individuals in the intervention group had initiated PrEP compared to none in the control group.  The authors conclude that this study provides evidence that a brief, low-cost, culturally competent counseling-based approach could improve PreP uptake among young BMSM, with the aim of improving HIV prevention in this high-risk population.
 
Click here to read the full article.