LAI-ART Awareness, Willingness, Barriers and Facilitators among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV in the US South

Chadwick K. Campbell (), Kirstin Kielhold, Hannah E. Reynolds, Wilson Vincent, Daniel E. Siconolfi, Stephen D. Ramos, Adedotun Ogunbajo, Susan M. Kegeles and Erik D. Storholm
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Chadwick K. Campbell: Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Kirstin Kielhold: Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Hannah E. Reynolds: School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Wilson Vincent: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Daniel E. Siconolfi: RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Stephen D. Ramos: Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Adedotun Ogunbajo: RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Susan M. Kegeles: Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
Erik D. Storholm: School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: Black sexual minority men (BSMM) continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States, with the highest incidence and prevalence in the southern region of the country. In Texas, BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) have the lowest rates of viral suppression of all SMM and have lower antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence than white and Hispanic SMM. Long-acting injectable ART (LAI-ART) can potentially overcome several barriers to daily oral ART adherence (e.g., stigma, forgetfulness, pill fatigue). However, little is known about the knowledge, willingness, barriers, and facilitators regarding LAI-ART among BSMM+. From July 2022 to September 2023, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 27 BSMM+ from the Houston and Dallas Metropolitan Areas, Texas. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Most men knew about LAI-ART, but their understanding varied based on their existing sources of information. Some men were enthusiastic, some were cautious, and some reported no interest in LAI-ART. Barriers to LAI-ART included a lack of public insurance coverage of LAI-ART; fear of needles and side effects; the frequency of injection visits; the requirement of viral suppression before switching from oral ART to LAI-ART; and satisfaction with oral daily ART. Motivators of LAI-ART uptake included the eliminated burden of daily pills and reduced anxiety about possibly missing doses. BSMM+ may be among those who could most benefit from LAI-ART, though more research is needed to understand which factors influence their willingness and how the barriers to LAI-ART might be addressed, particularly among diverse communities of SMM of color.

Keywords: long-acting injectable ART; acceptability; willingness; black sexual minority men; HIV treatment; adherence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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