• Mirjam-Colette Kempf, Corilyn Ott, Jenni M Wise, Alison P Footman, Brook Y Araya, Claudia M Hardy, Cordia Walker, Charles Latham, Romeo Stockett, George Daniels, Mark Alexander, and Robin G Lanzi.
• School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama. Electronic address: mkempf@uab.edu.
• Am J Prev Med. 2018 Nov 1; 55 (5 Suppl 1): S112S121S112-S121.

IntroductionBlack men in the Deep South have been disproportionally affected by high HIV and hepatitis C virus infection rates. Conventional clinic-based screening approaches have had limited success in reaching those with undiagnosed HIV or hepatitis C virus infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and best practices of an integrated HIV and hepatitis C virus community-based health screening approach.MethodsThe study used a mixed methods approach: focus group discussion, individual interviews, and surveys that assessed perceptions, perspectives, and HIV and hepatitis C virus awareness among six communities across Alabama and Mississippi. Data were collected and analyzed in 2014-2017.ResultsAlthough HIV and hepatitis C virus knowledge was limited among community members surveyed, the results of this study suggest that (1) using an integrated, community-based HIV and hepatitis C virus testing approach is acceptable and feasible; (2) formation of a community advisory board is a key element of successful community mobilization; (3) education and training of community members on disease-specific topics and overcoming stigma are essential; and (4) focus on and inclusion of young community members will be critical for the sustainability of screening efforts.ConclusionsIncluding and engaging communities at risk for HIV and hepatitis C virus infection in prevention research is a promising strategy to overcome existing barriers of stigma and discrimination. Integration of HIV and hepatitis C virus testing in universal health screening efforts utilizing a Community Health Advisors model encourages unbiased communication with a focus on overall community health. Community health advisors are recognized as important agents in this effort.Supplement InformationThis article is part of a supplement entitled African American Men's Health: Research, Practice, and Policy Implications, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

40 keywords...

hide…