Understanding HIV testing, HIV care engagement, and the implementation of HIV prevention strategies for priority populations in the Southern United States

The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan emphasizes early diagnosis and treatment as critical pillars for reducing HIV transmission and improving health outcomes among those living with HIV. This project directly contributes to the EHE initiative by focusing on EHE pillars in rural communities. The revised aims leverage existing data to explore key aspects of HIV prevention and care. First, we will use qualitative interviews to understand implementation determinants for sexual health providers in a rural state (n=20), focusing on expedited partner therapy for bacterial STIs among gay and bisexual men. Second, we will quantitatively identify health behavior profiles for young men who have sex with men (n=684), exploring how these profiles predict HIV testing behavior using pooled data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS). Finally, we will use a crisp-set coincidence analysis to quantitatively identify potential causal factors of HIV care engagement among older adults living with HIV in the rural, southern United States (n=61). The training plan of this F31 award is designed to support Mr. Andrew M. O’Neil with foundational experience to support his development into an independent investigator. The candidate will gain (1) foundational content and methodological expertise in implementation science research in the field of HIV prevention, (2) competency in advanced quantitative data analyses, (3) necessary skills in mixed-methods research and analysis, (4) training in responsible and ethical conduct in research, and (5) individually-tailored professional development to support transition into a research-focused career. The training plan includes coursework, training institutes, seminars, manuscript preparation, grant writing, academic conferences, research activities, and mentorship to support post-graduation employment.