Strengths and Challenges of Implementing a Learning Collaborative in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

Learning collaboratives (LCs) are a popular tool for supporting collaboration and shared learning among health programs. Many variations of LCs have been reported in the literature. However, descriptions of key LC components and implementation lack standardization, making it hard to compare and contrast different LC approaches.

High rates of retention and viral suppression in the US HIV safety net system: HIV care continuum in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, 2011.

Background: In the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care continuum, retention in HIV medical care and viral suppression are key goals to improve individual health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission. National data from clinical providers are lacking.

Methods: HIV providers funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) annually report demographic, service, and clinical data using encrypted unique client identifiers, and data are processed and de-duplicated to create a single record for each client.

Sentencing risk: history of incarceration and HIV/STD transmission risk behaviours among Black men who have sex with men in Massachusetts.

This study investigated the role of incarceration in HIV/STD risk among 197 Black men who have sex with men in Massachusetts, USA. More than half (51%) reported a history of incarceration (28% < 90 days in jail/prison; 23% ≥ 90 days in jail/prison). Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age and sexual orientation examined associations between demographic, behavioural, social-psychological and cultural factors and incarceration history.

“It's a quick way to get what you want”: a formative exploration of HIV risk among urban Massachusetts men who have sex with men who attend sex parties.

Community-based studies with men who have sex with men (MSM) suggest that between 8% and 25% of MSM have met recent male sexual partners at private sex parties. Little is known about HIV sexual risk behaviors of MSM who attend sex parties and whether risk reduction interventions can be delivered in this setting. In 2008, 40 MSM who reported attending and/or hosting sex parties in Massachusetts in the past 12 months completed a qualitative interview and quantitative assessment.

Problematic alcohol use and HIV risk among Black men who have sex with men in Massachusetts.

This analysis was designed to explore the frequency of problem drinking and its role in potentiating HIV risk among a community-recruited sample of Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in Massachusetts. Black MSM (n=197) recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling between January and July 2008 completed an interviewer-administered survey, including HIV sexual behavior, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the CAGE alcohol screener. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression procedures examined the association of behavioral HIV-risk factors and other psychosocial variables with problematic alcohol use (CAGE score 3 or 4).

Walking the line: stimulant use during sex and HIV risk behavior among Black urban MSM.

Background: Although the association of stimulant use to sexual risk taking and HIV transmission has been well documented among white gay men, stimulant use during sex continues to be under-explored among Black men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Black MSM (n=197) recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling between January and July 2008 completed an interviewer-administered quantitative assessment and optional HIV counseling and testing. Bivariate logistic regression procedures were employed to examine the association of demographics, sexual risk, and other psychosocial factors with stimulant use (at least monthly during sex in the past 12 months).

Health system and personal barriers resulting in decreased utilization of HIV and STD testing services among at-risk black men who have sex with men in Massachusetts.

Testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) remains a cornerstone of public health prevention interventions. This analysis was designed to explore the frequency of testing, as well as health system and personal barriers to testing, among a community-recruited sample of Black men who have sex with men (MSM) at risk for HIV and STDs. Black MSM (n = 197) recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling between January and July 2008 completed an interviewer-administered assessment, with optional voluntary HIV counseling and testing.

Sexual mixing patterns and partner characteristics of black MSM in Massachusetts at increased risk for HIV infection and transmission.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for HIV infection in the United States compared to other MSM. The aim of this study was to investigate Black MSM's sexual mixing patterns and partner characteristics in relation to sexual risk taking, as a possible explanation for this observed increase in HIV incidence. Between January and July 2008, 197 Black MSM were recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling and completed optional pretest and post-test HIV serological testing, counseling, and a demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment battery.

Clinically significant depressive symptoms as a risk factor for HIV infection among black MSM in Massachusetts.

High rates of depression have been observed among men who have sex with men (MSM) relative to the general adult male population; however, a dearth of research has explored depression among Black MSM. Black MSM (n = 197) recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling between January and July 2008 completed an interviewer-administered quantitative assessment and voluntary HIV counseling and testing. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression procedures examined the associations of demographics, behavioral HIV risk factors, and psychosocial variables with depressive symptoms by severity, using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Estimation of unmet need for HIV primary medical care: a framework and three case studies.

Reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act requires that each jurisdiction estimate the number of people living with HIV/AIDS who have unmet need for care. Past assessments of unmet need have used various definitions of care, relied on qualitative evaluations, or examined nonrepresentative subpopulations. This article outlines a single, flexible framework designed to quantitatively estimate unmet need in varied settings.