Resilient HIV Implementation Science with Sexual and Gender Minority Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center

PROJECT SUMMARY Sexual and gender minority (young men who have sex with men [YMSM] and young transgender women [YTW]) youths (ages 15-24 years) at risk of and living with HIV are poorly represented in international implementation science (IS) research. The overarching goal of Resilient HIV Implementation Science with SGM Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center is to make significant contributions to the development and conduct of IS studies to improve HIV prevention and care continuum (PHCC). A strategic planning process including a comprehensive review of our CRC's role in accelerating and maximizing the integration of digital health into practice, increasing the scientific capacity for IS research with SGM youths, translating findings to inform national and global guidelines on clinical management of SGM youths was conducted to inform this proposal. A vision statement encompassing four Themes – Equity in Partnerships for Access, Youth-tailored Intervention, Rigor IS Research, and Collaboration Capacity for Sustainability shapes our work. The RISE Clinical Research Center is a multidisciplinary research group composed of an administrative core at the University of Maryland Baltimore and five clinical research performing sites (CRPSs) that represent a network of implementing partners and community-based HIV service providers (CBSPs) in West, East, and Southern Africa: (1) Centre for Population Health Initiatives, Nigeria (CPHI); (2) Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN); (3) Partners for Health & Development in Africa, Kenya (PHDA); (4) Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP); and (5) Center for International Health Education Biosecurity, Zambia (Ciheb Zambia). Together, we have over fifteen years of leadership experience in the design, implementation, and conduct of health service studies with SGM youths in SSA and the United States (US). Under the leadership of the multiple PIs, Man Charurat Ph.D, Lisa Hightow-Weidman M.D., Sylvia Adebajo, PhD, a youth and SGM service delivery and policy-making multidisciplinary investigative team together with representatives from AHISA in each country including Kate Muessig, Ph.D, – a behavioral scientist, Nadia Sam-Agudu M.D. – AHISA Nigeria, Kwango Agot Ph.D, M.P.H – AHISA Kenya, Nora Rosenberg, Ph.D. – AHISA Malawi, and Maurice Musheke, Ph.D. M.P.H – AHISA Zambia, we will participate in the adaptation and customization of a digital health platform and conduct its implementation to support PHCC among SGM youths. Centralized resources for regulatory compliance, data management, data quality, and data analysis across the CRPSs promote RISE CRC's efficiency and quality. Collaboration capacity with AHISA, health ministries, and youth advisory boards for community engagement, IS capacity development, and sustainability will promote RISE CRC's impact locally and globally.