Development of An Acceptance Based PrEP Intervention (ACTPrEP) to Engage Young Black MSM in the South Utilizing the...

HIV disproportionately affects young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the Southern United States. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an efficacious, biomedical approach to prevent HIV. While Mississippi (MS) has among the highest rates of new HIV infections, it also ranks among the top three states for unmet PrEP need. Thus, increasing engagement in PrEP care for YBMSM in MS is imperative. A potential method to improve psychological flexibility and promote PrEP uptake, explored by this study, is the incorporation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into PrEP interventions. ACT is an evidence-based intervention used to treat a wide range of mental and physical illnesses.

Twenty PrEP-eligible YBMSM and ten clinic staff working with YBMSM in MS were surveyed and interviewed between October 2021 and April 2022. The brief survey covered PrEP structural barriers, PrEP stigma, and psychological flexibility. Interview topics included internal experiences related to PrEP, existing health behaviors, PrEP related personal values, and relevant constructs from the Adaptome Model of Intervention Adaptation (service setting, target audience, mode of delivery, and cultural adaptations). Qualitative data were coded based on ACT and the Adaptome model, organized using NVivo, then thematically analyzed.

Patients identified side effects, costs, and taking a daily prescription as top barriers to taking PrEP. Staff reported the top barrier to PrEP for clients was concern others would believe they were living with HIV. Levels of psychological flexibility and inflexibility varied widely among participants. The resulting thematic categories derived from the interviews included 1) thoughts, emotions, associations, memories, and sensations (TEAMS) related to PrEP and HIV, 2) general health behaviors (existing coping techniques, views on medication, HIV/PrEP approach and avoidance), 3) values related to PrEP use (relationship values, health values, intimacy values, longevity values), and 4) Adaptome Model adaptations. These results informed the development of a new intervention, ACTPrEP.

Interview data organized by the Adaptome Model of Intervention Adaptation determined appropriate ACT-informed intervention components, content, intervention adaptations, and implementation strategies. Interventions informed by ACT that help YBMSM endure short-term discomfort related to PrEP by relating it to their values and long-term health goals are promising for increasing individuals' willingness to initiate and maintain PrEP care.