title: HIV prevention service utilization in the Los Angeles House and Ball communities: past experiences and recommendations for the future.
abstract: African-American young men who have sex with men and transgender persons are at elevated risk for HIV infection. House and Ball communities, networks of mostly African-American gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who compete in modeling and dance, represent a prime venue for HIV prevention with these difficult-to-reach populations; however, little research exists on effective approaches to HIV prevention within these communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the present study sought to document participation in HIV prevention activities of a sample from the Los Angeles House and Ball communities (n = 263) in order to inform future service development. While 80% of participants were tested for HIV within the past 6 months, only 26% report HIV prevention program attendance. House leaders recommend a holistic approach to HIV prevention, one that incorporates attention to social problems beyond HIV, including poverty, housing difficulties, and lack of job training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1656, USA. Holloway@publicaffairs.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Ian W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Dorian E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Traube
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kubicek
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Supan
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kipke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003615:Dancing; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult