Recommendations From Black Sexual Minority Men: Building Trust to Improve Engagement and Impact of HIV/STI Research

Abstract

As demonstrated by the consistently documented disproportionately high rates of HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) among Black sexual minority men (BSMM), current efforts to develop responsive interventions to reduce HIV and other STIs within this population have not been sufficient. It is therefore critical that public health researchers reflect meaningfully on the ways in which they investigate HIV and STIs. Engagement with BSMM is crucial in addressing the disproportionately high rates of HIV and STIs experienced, and thus the goal of the current research was to identify community-developed strategies that may enhance community engagement in research with BSMM. Seven focus groups ( N = 38) were held with cisgender BSMM ages 18 to 45 years in Baltimore, Maryland to explore how to better engage this population and improve HIV and STI research. Data analysis of the text was conducted using an iterative, thematic constant comparison process informed by grounded theory. Four distinct themes related to trust-building within the broader community emerged: (1) authentic engagement with the community, (2) increased transparency of the research process, (3) capacity building of research staff from the community, and (4) a balance of research and action. Strategies for researchers to build community trust were identified that are related to, but slightly distinct from, common discussions in the community engaged research literature that are centered more specifically on trust-building within community–academic partnerships. Engagement with BSMM is crucial in addressing HIV and STI health disparities. It is critical that community engagement also be a priority to policy makers, research institutions, and funding institutions.

Factors Associated With Syphilis Transmission and Acquisition Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Multisite Egocentric Network Study

“…In some sites, potential participants reported reluctance to enroll in NEST because of the study’s emphasis on syphilis testing. To address these concerns, site-specific staff used participatory research techniques to build trust with Black MSM and provide a forum for researchers and the community to interact and exchange information about the study [ 43 , 66 ].…”

“…During the formative research phase of the study (ie, 1 year before study enrollment), NEST investigators focused on developing research methods that were transparent and culturally appropriate and that collected information that could be readily applied to local interventions. A community-engaged participatory approach that included community advisory boards (CABs) and focus groups was used to build trust between researchers and participants and to identify ways in which study participation would benefit the broader community [ 43 , 44 ]. In Baltimore, the CAB consisted of 6 to 7 Black MSM who met monthly throughout the study period.…”

“…Examples of CAB activities included codeveloping new survey questions, providing feedback on community dissemination materials, and designing a substudy within NEST. In addition, based on needs identified via qualitative data gathered during the formative period, Baltimore strengthened the capacity of community members hired as project staff through education, training, and employment and routinely shared interim findings with NEST participants, relevant community-based organizations, and partnering clinical and nonclinical sites [ 43 ].…”

Moving toward equity: fostering transdisciplinary research between the social and behavioral sciences and implementation science to end the HIV epidemic

“…Baumann and Cabassa [9 ▪▪ ] argue that reach – the extent to which an EBI enrolls impacted groups and how the SDOH affect participation in EBIs [54 ▪▪ ] – should be considered at all implementation stages. Equitable engagement and reach of communities of color in HIV/AIDS research are an ongoing challenge [102 ▪▪ ], though recent scholarship with diverse stakeholders, including people with HIV (PWH), have leveraged SBS perspectives on gender, power and inequality to increase reach in HIV research [103 ▪▪ ].…”

HPP Celebrates Pride

“…They show how being LGBTQ-inclusive improves outcomes for all (Boyce et al., 2018). They share what they know in service of a better public health, as in “Recommendations From Black Sexual Minority Men: Building Trust to Improve Engagement and Impact of HIV/STI Research” (Grieb et al, 2021). They have things to say to the profession—“To Speak to Me, Address Us: Insights From LGBT Young Adults to Inform Public Health Campaigns” (Hoffman & Delahanty, 2020)—and they have things to say to each other—“Don’t Deny Yourself a Seat at the Table!” (Quinn et al., 2020).…”