Using social networks to increase PrEP awareness among young Latino men
Leveraging Social Networks to Promote PrEP among Young Latino Sexual Minority Men
This study is all about helping young Latino men who have sex with men to use a preventive medication called PrEP to lower their risk of HIV, by using fun media campaigns and support from friends to spread the word.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11009272 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young Latino sexual minority men, who are at high risk for HIV. It aims to develop and evaluate a multilevel intervention that combines a media campaign with peer-based strategies, leveraging social networks to promote PrEP. The approach is informed by social network analysis, recognizing the influence of peers and family in health decision-making. The project will also provide training in implementation science to ensure effective intervention development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young Latino sexual minority men under 21 years old who may benefit from increased access to PrEP.
Not a fit: Patients who are not Latino or who are not at risk for HIV may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase PrEP awareness and usage among young Latino sexual minority men, potentially reducing HIV incidence in this population.
How similar studies have performed: Previous community-driven campaigns have shown success in increasing PrEP awareness, suggesting that this approach may be effective, although the specific combination of strategies in this research is novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Harita — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Shah, Harita
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.