Understanding Perceptions to Improve Intervention: HIV Risk Behavior, Testing and Prep Uptake Among Male African American and Latinx Justice-Involved Young Adults

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2024;35(3):837-851.

Abstract

Justice-involved young adult (JIYA) men are at high risk for HIV, yet frequently do not access HIV services. A better understanding of testing behaviors and motivation, as well as facilitators and barriers to testing is necessary for treatment-as-prevention approaches to be implemented among JIYA. Seventeen JIYA men and nine staff were recruited from three alternative sentencing programs (ASPs). In-depth interviews and a staff focus group explored HIV risk and testing uptake behaviors. Narratives from JIYA demonstrated a lack of connection among HIV risk and behavior, views on testing, and knowledge of PreP. Youth and staff also disclosed various youth and environmental/structural barriers to HIV testing. The justice system may be a crucial point of intervention to reduce HIV risk and promote HIV testing with interventions targeted to the needs of JIYA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black or African American* / psychology
  • Black or African American* / statistics & numerical data
  • Focus Groups
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / ethnology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • HIV Testing*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Risk-Taking
  • Young Adult