COVID-19 Administrative Supplement to K01: Adapting, Pilot Testing a Behavioral Intervention to Incorporate Advances in HIV Prevention for Black Young MSM in Alabama

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PROJECT SUMMARY This application is for an administrative supplement to a current NIMH-supported K01 career development award that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. My 5-year K01 began in May 2019, and less than a year into the award, COVID-19 was declared a global emergency; all human subjects research and travel was halted. The approximately three years of the pandemic occurred in the prime years of my K01 career development award affecting both training objective and specific aim completion. The overall goal of the original 5-year Mentored Research Scientist Development K01-Award is to support Henna Budhwani, PhD, MPH become an independent investigator in the field of HIV prevention. The proposed project seeks to address the HIV crisis in Alabama, where rates of undiagnosed HIV in Black young men who have sex with men (YMSM, 18-29 years) exceed 20%. Four training objectives are proposed that are in lockstep with three specific aims. Objective 1 includes an intensive training and mentoring plan in social theory. Objective 2 includes in-depth training on qualitative research methods including how to conduct focus groups, in-depth interviews, and qualitative data analysis. Aim 1, which will be conducted after Objective 2, is to elucidate experiences, beliefs, and predictors related to delivery and utilization of HIV testing and prevention services by Black YMSM using qualitative research methods, namely in-depth interviews with HIV outreach staff, focus groups with Black YMSM, and in-depth interviews with members of key sub-groups to inform the adaptation of the Brothers Saving Brothers (BSB) intervention. Objective 3 includes didactic and hands-on training on how to scientifically adapt HIV behavioral interventions using validated frameworks, such as intervention mapping. Aim 2 is to adapt the BSB intervention to include rapid testing and PrEP, to address structural barriers, and to be acceptable to black YMSM in Alabama. Objective 4 includes comprehensive training and mentoring in the field of implementation science. Aim 3, which concludes the proposed research study and K01 project, is to conduct a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation pilot study of the adapted intervention. This rigorous project includes intensive training at the candidate's home university and from other prominent institutions that offer very specific training not found at UAB; comprehensive mentoring from senior HIV researchers; and a thoughtful research strategy that addresses significant threats, high rates of undiagnosed HIV and insufficient engagement with HIV prevention services, including PrEP, in Black YMSM in Alabama. The combination of the proposed mentoring and training with study findings will culminate in the candidate's attainment of independence and development of a full-scale implementation science-informed R01 proposal to test the new adapted intervention.