PrEP

Texas PrEP Intervention Study

Investigators: Susan Kegeles & Greg Rebchook (PIs), Robert Williams, Scott Tebbetts, Andres Maiorana 

Texas has high rates of HIV infection despite the availability of PrEP. This study involved collaboration with two CBOs and an organization running two PrEP clinics to increase PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence among young Black and Latino men who have sex with men (YBLMSM). The three organizations used Core Elements of the Mpowerment Project (MP), an evidence based, community-level intervention to facilitate the empowerment of young MSM and reduce HIV risk. This project assessed the implementation strategies and outcomes of PrEP-enhanced activities.  Analysis is ongoing.  However, instituting a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act worksheets to their implementation process seemed to be an acceptable approach.  Though sites don’t like extra paperwork, the idea of small, cyclical tests of change is a feasible implementation strategy. While very challenging, the last 2+ years have also been a time of considerable institutional innovation, flexibility, and dynamic growth whereby opportunities existed for the three organizations to learn from and support each other.  Finally, expecting the unexpected became the norm due to COVID surges and climate events.