Creating effective HIV prevention messages for men who have sex with men in the Deep South

Amplifying Our Voice: Understanding HIV PrEP Promotional Messaging to CreateAuthentic PrEP Content by Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Deep South

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11056722

This study is all about finding the best ways to share information about PrEP, a medication that helps prevent HIV, specifically for men who have sex with men in the Deep South, by listening to their thoughts and preferences to make the messages more relatable and effective.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056722 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how to create authentic and effective promotional messages for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) aimed at men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Deep South, where HIV rates are particularly high. The project will involve gathering insights from the community to identify barriers to PrEP uptake and preferences for messaging. By using a crowdsourcing approach, the research aims to develop tailored communication strategies that resonate with the target population, ultimately improving awareness and access to PrEP. The principal investigator, Dr. Ronnie M. Gravett, will receive mentorship to enhance his skills in patient-oriented outcomes research.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American men who have sex with men living in the Deep South who are at risk for HIV.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as men who have sex with men or those living outside the Deep South may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased awareness and uptake of PrEP among MSM, significantly reducing new HIV infections in this high-risk population.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using community-driven approaches to improve health messaging and outcomes, indicating that this method could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.