Young men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women are at alarmingly high risk for HIV, and the risk among women who have sex with women and transgender men is estimated to be at least as high as that of heterosexuals. However, there are no empirically recommended behavioral or biomedical HIV prevention programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (LGBTY) under the age of 18 despite this clear evidence of need. A major reason for the absence of HIV prevention programs in this population is the challenge of initiating research on LGBTY under age 18. There is a lack of consensus among investigators and their IRBs about appropriate ethical procedures for protecting LGBTY's research rights and welfare. And, without empirical data to guide their decisions, IRBs must often rely on subjective judgments that can lead to over- or under-estimation of the magnitude and probability of risks of LGBTY participation in HIV prevention research. Consequently, many investigators have excluded LGBTY under 18 in HIV prevention research because of anticipated or actual difficulties obtaining IRB approval. This unfortunate exclusion prevents LGBTY from participating in research that has the potential to determine the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of HIV behavioral or biomedical preventive interventions that are developmentally appropriate for this population. The overarching goal of the current proposal is to inform evidence-based decision making by investigators and IRBs alike regarding the responsible design and conduct of HIV prevention research involving LGBTY. We propose to address this knowledge gap with three specific aims: (1) To inform ethically responsible decision making and IRB application of relevant federal regulations ( 46.102i; 46.111.a) to the evaluation of psychological, social and informational risk-benefits of LGBTY involvement in HIV prevention research. Using focus groups and surveys we will generate empirical data on LGBTY's appraisals of the magnitude and probability of the risks and anticipated benefits of recruitment strategies, risk behavior surveys, HIV/STI and drug use testing, and biomedical prevention trial participation. (2) To inform ethically responsible decisio making and IRB application of regulations permitting waivers of guardian permission ( 46.116d and 46.408c) for LGBTY participation in HIV prevention research. Using focus groups and surveys we will generate empirical data on LGBTY's appraisals of whether guardian permission is or is not a practical or a reasonable requirement for their participation in studies involvig risk behavior surveys, HIV/STI and drug use testing, and biomedical prevention trials. We will explore if these appraisals differ by youth characteristics (e.g., degree of outness, HIV risk). (3): To inform ethically responsible decision making and IRB application of regulations on youth capacity to consent ( 46.116d and 46.408c) for LGBTY participation in biomedical HIV prevention trials. Using a hypothetical HIV prevention trial, we will generate empirical data on the consent preparedness of LGBT youths' ages 14 - 17 compared to LGBT youth with adult legal status (18 - 20 years).

Public Health Relevance

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth under age 18 [LGBTY] are at high risk for HIV and other negative health outcomes. However, LGBTY are often excluded from research that has the potential to improve their health - particularly their rik of HIV infection - due to lack of knowledge on how to conduct research with this population in an ethical, responsible way. In hopes of ultimately reducing LGBTY's barriers to participating in HIV prevention research, the goal of this proposal is to assess LGBTYs knowledge of the risks and benefits of involvement in research related to HIV prevention, and the extent to which they are able to provide informed consent at a level equivalent to that of adults.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MD009561-03
Application #
9068678
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Alvidrez, Jennifer L
Project Start
2014-09-25
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
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Fisher, Celia B; Fried, Adam L; Desmond, Margaret et al. (2017) Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in PrEP HIV Prevention Trials Involving Transgender Male and Female Adolescents and Emerging Adults. AIDS Educ Prev 29:205-217
Macapagal, Kathryn; Coventry, Ryan; Arbeit, Miriam R et al. (2017) ""I Won't Out Myself Just to Do a Survey"": Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents' Perspectives on the Risks and Benefits of Sex Research. Arch Sex Behav 46:1393-1409
Mustanski, Brian; Coventry, Ryan; Macapagal, Kathryn et al. (2017) Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents' Views On HIV Research Participation and Parental Permission: A Mixed-Methods Study. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 49:111-121

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