Barriers and Facilitators to Engaging African American Men Who Have Sex With Men in the HIV Care Continuum: A Theory-Based Qualitative Study

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2019 May-Jun;30(3):352-361. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000087.

Abstract

African American men who have sex with men (MSM) have high rates of HIV, but interventions are needed to address their low rates of engagement in the HIV care continuum. To identify modifiable factors potentially affecting such engagement, we conducted qualitative interviews guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior with 27 African American MSM who had participated in an HIV risk-reduction intervention trial. Qualitative analyses resulted in four overarching themes: stigma, concerns with health care providers (HCPs), social support, and logistical issues. Facilitators of care continuum engagement included reassurance about health, feeling and looking better, receiving treatment, avoiding infecting others, good relations with HCP, and social support. Barriers included HIV stigma, concerns about confidentiality, negative perceptions of HCP, convenience and availability of testing/treatment facilities, cost, and lack of social support. Efforts to improve African American MSM HIV care continuum engagement should focus on individual and health care system changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Continuity of Patient Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Focus Groups
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Homosexuality, Male / ethnology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Social Stigma
  • Social Support
  • Trust
  • Young Adult