Use of awareness raising campaigns to expand HIV testing: experiences in the Bronx, NY and Washington, DC (HPTN 065 study)

• DOI: 10.1108/jsocm-10-2018-0114
• Publication Date: 2020-08-10T14:33:38Z
• Authors: Zoe Edelstein; Michael Kharfen; Michelle Kim; Benjamin Tsoi; Paul M. Salcuni; Theresa Gamble; Blayne Cutler; Bernard Branson; Wafaa M. El-Sadr
• Keywords: Community Engagement; Community mobilization

Purpose Awareness raising campaigns have been used to promote HIV prevention messages, including the expansion of testing, but initiating such de novo can be costly. Both Bronx, New York and Washington, DC significant local epidemics a history efforts scale-up testing. To build on prior testing create new messages based consultation with diverse stakeholders, partnership community-based clinical trial enhance treatment was established. The purpose this paper is describe in two jurisdictions, awareness conducted collaboration Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) study (HPTN 065) provide evidence its effect these communities. Design/methodology/approach foundation allowed for social mobilization specific priority populations (gay men other who sex men), most severely affected groups both communities, expand include settings. compelling acceptable were shaped through engagement community members input from focus target each city. Findings By engaging population development messaging, HPTN 065 successfully built that already underway jurisdictions able use those platforms further normalize Practical implications Modifying adapting existing saved time resources, which important factors consider settings limited resources or high media purchasing costs. Originality/value Efforts kind may ultimately help decrease transmission large urban