Brief report: Identified barriers and proposed solutions for recruiting young Black sexual minority men in HIV-related research. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parchem, Benjamin; Molock, Sherry Davis
• Is Part Of: Journal of adolescence. Volume 87(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Young black sexual minority men -- Methodological challenges -- Recruitment barriers -- Proposed solutions -- HIV; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 305.23505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.12.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1971

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Young Black sexual minority men represent a high priority population for HIV prevention research yet the existing literature is not proportional to the current health disparity observed. The challenge of engaging this intersectional population in research on a stigmatized topic likely contributes to the dearth of literature. Methods: This brief report examines the current recruitment strategies for engaging sexual minority men in HIV-related research and identifies individual and system-level barriers that contribute to the underrepresentation of Black sexual minority men in HIV-related research. Qualitative data is integrated from Project HATCH (Helping African American Teens Combat HIV), an ongoing recruitment effort of 14-21-year-old Black sexual minority men in Washington D.C., United States. Results: Identified barriers to recruiting young Black sexual minority men include cultural stigma, mistrust of research institutions, the 'coming out' process for queer youth, assent procedures for youth, and others. Conclusions: We propose several solutions for recruitment including geospatial technology, social media, and community spaces of trust (i.e., churches and schools). Additional larger scale solutions include destigmatizing youths' sexuality and prioritizing the advancement of Black scholars in academia and research endeavors.