Sexually Transmited Infection Testing Risk and Prevention among Trans Women (STRiP-T)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Career Goal: My long-term career goals are to a) secure a full-time tenure track academic appointment; and b) become an independent investigator in human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) risk and prevention research among transgender women (trans women, women assigned male at birth). This research and training grant will provide me with the opportunity to enhance my research skills as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Central Florida and to successfully transition to an STI intervention scientist that addresses prominent health inequalities faced by trans women. Career Development: This K99/R00 research and training plan will catalyze my efforts to acquire the advanced training necessary to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and validity of self-collected samples versus clinician collected samples for STI testing and examine the relationship between combined socio-spatial network characteristics (e.g., social capital, access to care) and STI risk among trans women. During the K99 phase my training goals consist of a) mixed methods research, by gaining skills in qualitative research and analysis; b) intervention mapping and c) social and spatial epidemiology methods, by gaining skills in social network analysis and geographic information systems. Research Objective: This K99/R00 application proposes to integrate my prior experience in robust quantitative methods with new knowledge in mixed methods research, intervention mapping and social and spatial epidemiology methods in order to enhance my independence as a researcher focused on addressing STI health disparities within a health care setting, which the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has identified as a major priority. Specific Aims: Aim 1: Conduct pilot study to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and validity of self-collected vs. clinician collected genital and non-genital samples among trans women with and without neovaginas to detect STIs using mixed methodology (quantitative surveys and in-depth interviews). Aim 2: Examine multi-site (genital, rectal, pharyngeal) STI prevalence among trans women with and without neovaginas. Aim 3: Characterize the relationship between social and spatial network characteristics (e.g., network size, social support, neighborhood characteristics) and STI risk among trans women with and without neovaginas. Mentorship team: My efforts will be guided by an accomplished, interdisciplinary team of mentors (with prior experience working together) committed to support my transition to an independent investigator.