HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE3): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana
| Autor: | Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari, Francis Owusu-Dampare, Adedotun Ogunbajo, Joseph Gyasi, Michael Adu, Patrick Appiah, Kwasi Torpey, Laura Nyblade, LaRon E. Nelson |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
Male
Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis Sexual Behavior Social Stigma Sexually Transmitted Diseases men who have sex with men HIV Infections Ghana community-based research Sexual and Gender Minorities ADAPT-ITT model Protocol Humans Homosexuality Male mobile-based intervention dennis peer support model Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health virus diseases HIV testing communication HIV testing Africa Medicine peer communication support Empathy intersectional stigma |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 13103, p 13103 (2021) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| ISSN: | 1661-7827 1660-4601 |
| Popis: | Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ghana remain at heightened risk of HIV infection, and face challenges in accessing HIV prevention and care services. Previous research in Ghana shows that MSM face intersectional stigma across ecological levels (family, peers, healthcare settings, and community level) and the criminalization of same-gender sexual behaviors in the country. To protect their wellbeing from exposure to stigma, many MSM avoid interactions with healthcare systems and services, which inadvertently inhibits their opportunities for early detection and treatment of HIV. Consequently, MSM in Ghana carry a disproportionate burden of HIV prevalence (18%) compared to the general population (2%), highlighting the need for culturally relevant processes in HIV/STI prevention, and care communication to optimize sexual health and wellness among MSM in Ghana. To this effect, we collaborated with community partners to use the Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts, Training, Testing (ADAPT-ITT) model to modify a theory-driven smartphone-based peer support intervention to enhance its focus on intersectional stigma reduction, and improve HIV health-seeking behaviors among MSM, including HIV testing and linkage to care. We used the Dennis Peer Support Model to develop the peer support components (emotional, informational, and appraisal support) to increase peer social support, decrease social isolation, and minimize intersectional stigma effects on HIV-related healthcare-seeking behaviors. This paper shows the preliminary acceptability and effectiveness of employing culturally relevant techniques and communication strategies to provide secure peer support to improve HIV prevention and care among key populations in highly stigmatized environments. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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