Reducing HIV Risk With High Risk HIV Negative Black MSM-Passport to Wellness

The proposed research study will focus on Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) who * are HIV- or unknown status AND * have not received HIV testing in over a year or * who test irregularly (on 9/21/2016, the protocol was changed to modify the last to criteria and focus on those who have not used PrEP in the prior six months). and implement an innovative, culturally-informed, peer-based, and client-centered approach that is designed to increase their awareness of their HIV status and their timely entry into prevention (including PrEP), testing, care, and treatment services. The research design compares the effect of an incentives-only approach to one that uses incentives, along with the involvement of peer mentors to support timely entry into prevention, testing, care and treatment. This phase of the study is designed to assess peer-supported intervention group versus a passport/incentive-only control group over an 18-month period using a randomized trial approach.

Sex

Male

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion criteria:

1. self identify as male
2. self-identify as Black or African American
3. sex with a male or male-to-female transgender in the last 6 months
4. intercourse without a condom in the last 6 months
5. Los Angeles County resident,
6. either is unaware of HIV status and has not tested for HIV in the last 12 months or has recently tested (within 30 days), but had not received testing in the prior 12 months

   * 6\) Modified 9/21/2016 to has not taken PrEP in the prior 6 months

Exclusion criteria:

1. self-identify as female or transgender male or female
2. does not self-identify as Black or African American
3. no sex with a man or a male-to-female transgender in the last 6 months
4. no sexual intercourse in the last 6 months
5. resides outside of Los Angeles County
6. is HIV-positive OR has tested between 1 and 13 months prior to enrollment.

   * 6\) Modified 9/21/2016 to has not taken PrEP in the prior 6 months