We are conducting a pilot study among 240 young Black MSM and transgender women randomized to the Intervention Arm (assessment and algorithm to deliver a tailored recommendation) or Control (assessment and standard HIV testing information) and followed for 6 months to estimate the intervention's potential efficacy in increasing HIV testing. After informed consent, participants are asked to provide contact information on the locator form. Then, participants complete a brief quantitative assessment including basic demographics, HIV testing history and other factors related to HIV testing. All participants, regardless of study arm, then receive information about each HIV testing method including how the tests are conducted (blood, oral sample), and availability of counseling and support. Participants then are randomized into 1 of the 2 study arms. A computer program will randomly assign each participant using randomly ordered block sizes of 4 and 6 and stratified by age (16-23, 24-29 years) to balance groups.
Participants assigned to the Intervention Arm will complete a brief quantitative assessment lasting approximately 2-3 minutes to assess those factors associated with HIV testing and thus are needed to complete the algorithm. They then receive the results of the HIV testing algorithm, presented as their personalized HIV testing approach. All participants will receive information on resources in New York City to test by all of these methods. The control participants are provided with the above information about each testing approach but without a recommended approach.
