Using social networks to increase PrEP awareness among young Latino men
Official title: Leveraging Social Networks to Promote PrEP among Young Latino Sexual Minority Men
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11009272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $186,840 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH138254-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young Latino sexual minority men under 21 years old who may benefit from increased access to PrEP.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Latino or who are not at risk for HIV may not receive direct benefits from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Harita — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Shah, Harita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
A large clinical trial in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through male peer networks, with phone support, increases PrEP uptake among men.
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Harnessing men's peer networks to boost HIV self-testing and PrEP use
A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
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Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
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TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for support.
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.