Abstract: Among sexual minority men, young Black sexual minority men are the most disproportionately impacted by HIV, with the majority of new infections among sexual minority men occurring among this group. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most understudied factors that may exacerbate these disparities. Little is known about the impact of substance use and IPV on HIV care continuum (CC) outcomes and HIV transmission risk behaviors among young Black sexual minority men with HIV (YBSMM+). Both IPV and substance use leading to IPV may help explain poorer CC engagement among YBSMM+ and are likely to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having devastating health and economic impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic is also likely to interfere with CC engagement and viral suppression. The research that we propose is designed to overcome these gaps and limitations, and to identify modifiable intervention targets for strengthening the CC during times of acute psychosocial and economic stress. We propose to use existing data and to collect new data from the United Black Element+ project (UBE+; R01 MH102171). We will use structural equation modeling to explore the associations between substance use and IPV and their impact on HIV care engagement, viral suppression, condomless anal sex, and to determine if distinct forms of resilience (global resiliency, coping skills, and social support) buffer associations between these relationships among YBSMM+ in the U.S. South. This study can shed new light on the associations between substance use, IPV and CC outcomes and risk and will support the submission of an intervention development grant (R34) to develop a resiliency and advocacy-based intervention that reduces the impact of substance use and IPV on CC engagement and retention among YBSMM+. The project’s focus on the role that resiliency factors may play in moderating harmful effects of substance abuse and IPV among YBSMM+ is innovative. This research can inform the development and adaptation of substance use, IPV, and CC interventions for YBSMM+.

 

Project Number: 1R21DA053164-01

https://reporter.nih.gov/search/OJfd0e_VikGzwfdQswpoGw/project-details/10161009

 

 

Contact PI/ Project Leader

STORHOLM, ERIK D., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (estorholm@sdsu.edu)

 

Organization

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

 

 

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Young Black sexual minority men (YBSMM) in the US South are disproportionately burdened by HIV. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most understudied factors that may exacerbate these disparities, yet little is known about the relationship between substance use and IPV, and the combined impact these factors have on the HIV care continuum and HIV transmission risk behaviors among YBSMM living with HIV. The proposed research is designed to overcome these gaps and limitations, and to identify modifiable intervention targets for reducing substance use and IPV risk and strengthening the HIV care continuum by using existing and new data collected from an ongoing cohort study of YBSMM living with HIV in the US South.

 

 

Project Start Date: 01-July-2021

Project End Date:30-June-2023

Budget Start Date: 01-July-2021

Budget End Date: 30-June-2022

 

 

NIH Categorical Spending

Funding IC: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / FY Total Cost by IC:$231,383