American Cohort to Study HIV Acquisition Among Transgender Women in High-Risk Areas (The LITE Study): Protocol for a Multisite Prospective Cohort Study in the Eastern and Southern United States (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.14704
• Publication Date: 2019-05-17T11:47:06Z
• Authors: Andrea L Wirtz; Tonia Poteat; Asa Radix; Keri N Althoff; Christopher M Cannon; Andrew J Wawrzyniak; Erin Cooney; Kenneth H Mayer; Chris Beyrer; Allan E Rodriguez; Sari L Reisner
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Protocol; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> In the United States, transgender women (TW) are disproportionately burdened by HIV infection. Cohort studies needed to evaluate factors driving acquisition among TW over time. These will require implementation strategies that acceptable community and feasible implement. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study aims investigate rate correlates of other health outcomes in eastern southern States. <title>METHODS</title> LITE is a multisite prospective cohort 6 US cities, which be followed across 24 months technology-enhanced biobehavioral follow-up. Adult TW, regardless status, recruited via convenience sampling (eg, peer referrals, social media, dating apps). Participants enrolled baseline visit, complete sociobehavioral survey, test for sexually transmitted infections. who not living with at offered enrollment into (N=1100); follow-up assessments occur quarterly. <title>RESULTS</title> assembly was informed synchronous Web-based focus group discussions (n=41) continuing engagement advisory board members from each site. Enrollment launched March 2018. The underway Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Miami; New York City; Washington, DC, metro areas. As 2019, 795 completed visit (mean age 35 years). majority participants racial/ethnic minorities, 45% identifying as black 28% Hispanic/Latinx. More than one-quarter (28%) infection (laboratory-confirmed). Online recruitment methods support although referral through trusted facilities organizations remain most effective. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> responsive increasing research interest research, particularly hard-to-reach populations. Importantly, diversity literacy, technology use, overall socioeconomic situations this sample highlights need leverage permit flexible, adaptive methodology enhances potential marginalized contexts while still ensuring rigorous sound design.