Increasing PrEP Use in High-Risk Social Networks of African-American MSM in Underserved Low-Risk Cities

This study evaluates the use of a social-network approach to encourage African-American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) to adopt pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection. Thirty-six networks of AAMSM will be recruited in Milwaukee, WI, and Cleveland, OH. Half of these networks will have their leaders trained to endorse PrEP to their social network members, and the other half will be given brief HIV prevention counseling.

Inclusion Criteria: INDIVIDUALS: 1. Age 16 or older 2. For the seed only, self-report of HIV-negative serostatus or unknown serostatus 3. Except for the seed, being named as a friend by an already-enrolled participant 4. Male at birth 5. Sex with at least one male partner in the past 12 months NETWORKS 1. More than 49% of the seed's eligible friends agree to participate 2. More than 49% of all network members self-report they are HIV-negative at baseline Exclusion Criteria: INDIVIDUALS: 1. Age 15 or younger 2. For the seed only, self-report of HIV-positive serostatus 3. Except for the seed, not being named as a friend by an already-enrolled participant 4. Not male at birth 5. No report of sex with at least one male partner in the past 12 months NETWORKS 1. Less than 50% of the seed's eligible friends agree to participate 2. Less than 50% of all network members self-report they are HIV-negative at baseline