Characterizing the Social Environment for STI Testing and Treatment for Young, Minority Men in San Francisco

This project characterizes the STI testing and treatment environment for young, African American men in San Francisco, CA, by exploring STI services use, barriers to care, and preferences for future diagnostic technologies and testing strategies. This cross sectional study is conducted among 100 men aged 15-24 using a street intercept survey in predominantly minority, low income neighborhoods in San Francisco. Recruitment for the study is conducted as part of outreach efforts undertaken by the city’s STD branch at the department of public health. Participation includes completion of a structured, self-administered survey using a web-based interviewing tool. By eliciting questions regarding STI services use, STI-related knowledge, perception of gender norms and social stigma related to STI, and acceptability of varied diagnostic methods and test settings, we hope to generate data to better understand the testing and treatment environment for young African American men. The data generated will inform a future intervention proposal that aims to increase is the reach of effective STI prevention strategies, given the disproportionate burden of STI/HIV that young African Americans bear.