This project seeks to use real-time geospatial methods to investigate relationships between Global Positioning System (GPS)-defined activity space neighborhoods, social and sexual networks, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence cross-sectionally and longitudinally among young Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Chicago IL metropolitan statistical area (MSA) followed over two years. We will enroll 350 Black MSM in the proposed NIH-funded uConnect Neighborhoods and Networks Cohort Study to address the aims of the research. Eligibility requirements include: HIV-seronegative; self-report no restrictions to usual physical activity; no plans to move outside of Chicago IL MSA in the next two years; and willingness to complete a two-week GPS protocol at nine time-points over two years. Participants will wear the GPS device following protocols we have used in our previous feasibility research projects, including studies among Black MSM. In this longitudinal study, three months after completing the initial 2-week GPS protocol, participants will carry the GPS device for an additional 2-weeks every three-months over the two-year study period?for a total of nine times. GPS activity space environment and social/sexual networks data at baseline could potentially influence PrEP outcomes over time. Also, multiple GPS measures and social/sexual networks (at different time points) can better capture the breadth of people?s exposure to neighborhood-level factors and dynamics in social/sexual networks. The proposed study will be the largest GPS study of HIV disparities in any MSM population and presents a remarkable opportunity to study environmental influences on HIV prevention. Findings from the proposed research will impact HIV prevention intervention activities. First, it will inform specific neighborhood-level policy interventions. For example, increased community efforts to combat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender hate crime neighborhood rates through increased local police attention in high- crime locations may be an HIV prevention intervention that can reduce HIV health disparities. Second, from the GPS dataset we will know the travel patterns of Black MSM and therefore be able to identify optimal geographic locations for HIV prevention interventions. This will advance the literature given that such interventions are seldom geographically targeted. Third, this research will facilitate the identification of geographic locations suitable for recruiting Black MSM in research studies, an improved method of venue- based sampling, in this understudied population. Fourth, examining changes in spatial mobility (i.e. activity spaces) over time will be useful in knowing whether the risks of particular spaces changes or remain constant because different neighborhoods will have different risk profiles. Changing risk environments would suggest that prevention requires significant dynamism and fluidity, as well as rapid change-detection feedback loops. Finally, our dynamic network analysis we propose will deepen understanding of the effects of social and sexual networks on HIV prevention behaviors and will improve network-based HIV prevention interventions.

Public Health Relevance

This project seeks to use real-time geospatial methods to investigate relationships between GPS-defined activity space neighborhoods, social and sexual networks, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and adherence among young Black MSM in the Chicago IL metropolitan statistical area, a population in the United States heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH112406-01
Application #
9270740
Study Section
Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS Study Section (BSCH)
Program Officer
Greenwood, Gregory
Project Start
2016-09-22
Project End
2021-06-30
Budget Start
2016-09-22
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$566,521
Indirect Cost
$159,525
Name
New York University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016
Hambrick, H Rhodes; Park, Su Hyun; Schneider, John A et al. (2018) Poppers and PrEP: Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Inhaled Nitrites. AIDS Behav :
Park, Su Hyun; Al-Ajlouni, Yazan; Palamar, Joseph J et al. (2018) Financial hardship and drug use among men who have sex with men. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 13:19
Mgbako, Ofole; Park, Su Hyun; Mayer, Kenneth H et al. (2018) Transactional Sex and Preferences for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Administration Modalities Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM). J Sex Res :1-9
Goedel, William C; Schneider, John A; Hambrick, H Rhodes et al. (2018) Are Anal Sex Roles Associated with Preferences for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Administration Modalities Among Men Who Have Sex with Men? Arch Sex Behav 47:2123-2133
Hambrick, H Rhodes; Park, Su Hyun; Goedel, William C et al. (2018) Rectal Douching Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Paris: Implications for HIV/STI Risk Behaviors and Rectal Microbicide Development. AIDS Behav 22:379-387
Goedel, William C; Reisner, Sari L; Janssen, Aron C et al. (2017) Acceptability and Feasibility of Using a Novel Geospatial Method to Measure Neighborhood Contexts and Mobility Among Transgender Women in New York City. Transgend Health 2:96-106
Duncan, Dustin T; Hyun Park, Su; Al-Ajlouni, Yazan A et al. (2017) Association of financial hardship with poor sleep health outcomes among men who have sex with men. SSM Popul Health 3:594-599
Duncan, Dustin T; Park, Su Hyun; Schneider, John A et al. (2017) Financial Hardship, Condomless Anal Intercourse and HIV Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 21:3478-3485
Duncan, Dustin T; Park, Su Hyun; Goedel, William C et al. (2017) Perceived Neighborhood Safety Is Associated with Poor Sleep Health among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Paris, France. J Urban Health 94:399-407