Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

Purpose In spite of progress in understanding the importance of social support for health outcomes in Persons Living with HIV (PLWH), more remains to be known about mechanisms of support most beneficial at each stage of HIV treatment. In this study, we use a qualitative analytic approach to investigate the forms and sources of social support deemed most integral to the diagnosis, care engagement, and medication adherence behaviors of a diverse sample of PLWH in a mostly rural health district in the Southeastern United States. Methods In‐depth interviews (N = 18) were collected during the qualitative phase of a larger mixed methods needs assessment for the Northeast Georgia Health District. A deductive‐inductive analysis of participant narratives revealed variation in the perceived importance of particular forms and sources of social support during the initial versus advanced stages of HIV care. Findings PLWH identified the emotional, informational, and appraisal support provided by family as especially critical for emotional stability, coping, and care linkage during the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment. However, once in care, PLWH emphasized informational and instrumental forms of support from care providers and appraisal support from peers as key influences in care engagement and retention behaviors. Conclusion Increased understanding of the social support mechanisms that contribute to the HIV treatment behaviors of PLWH can fill knowledge gaps in research and inform the efforts of health care providers seeking to leverage various aspects of the social support toward improving the care retention, health, and wellness outcomes of PLWH.

Background Efforts to mitigate HIV transmission among gay and bisexual men have not been sufficient to level persistent racial inequities which now extend to the use of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. Community-involved ethnographic research is crucial to galvanizing collaboration between patients, researchers, and policymakers to identify the social determinants of emerging PrEP inequities. In partnership with community key informants, we conducted a Rapid Ethnographic Assessment (REA) of multilevel PrEP use determinants among young Black gay and bisexual (YBGBM) men in the metropolitan Atlanta area to inform the development and coordination of local HIV programs. Methods In the assessment, we drew upon the perspectives of local clinicians, community-based organization leaders, health educators, and PrEP clients to identify barriers and facilitators to PrEP use among YBGBM through interviews (N = 23). Data were collected from September 2020 –to January 2021 and were analyzed through a staged deductive-inductive thematic analysis. The themes were later summarized and presented to community stakeholder participants to facilitate member-checking. Results Our analyses revealed structural, cultural, relationship, and developmental factors which shaped PrEP use. The most prominent being “ease of access to PrEP” (structural level), “provider support” (interpersonal), and “life-stage traits” (individual). Our results also contribute novel information concerning the axes of intersectional stigma (spatial, racial, sexual identity, and HIV) among YBGBM in Atlanta and its divergent effects on PrEP use. Conclusion Increased PrEP use among YBGBM, particularly among those living in the south, is essential to ending the domestic HIV epidemic. Altogether, our results emphasize the need for PrEP program modifications, which increase flexibility in methods and modes of access and are culturally adapted to the needs of YBGBM. There is also a need for resources that holistically focus on mental health, trauma, and racism as critical components of support.

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