5 - (SYM 134 Fostering Collaborative Relationships and Processes in the Five Point Initiative: A Community-based Bundled Implementation Strategy for HIV Prevention

Black people bear the disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States due, in part, to racism, HIV stigma, poverty, and lack of access to care. Furthermore, in Miami, Florida, only 55% of Black people living with HIV (PLWH) are virally suppressed. A potential missed opportunity is the use of community-based strategies to offset barriers to care. There is evidence to show the feasibility and effectiveness of partnering with community-based venues that are often patronized by Black communities (e.g. barbershops and hair
salons) in sexual health education and interventions. In view of the Ending the HIV Epidemic, community-based strategies show promise in mitigating barriers to care (e.g. HIV testing) by reaching a community previously deemed as “hard to reach”. The Five Point Initiative is a community-informed outreach intervention that is centered on partnerships with a) community consultants b) venues in 12 Miami-Dade zip codes with the highest concentrations of Black individuals living with HIV and c) community health organizations. During events over a six-month period, community residents completed a brief electronic survey on mental, physical, and sexual health, and level of satisfaction with the outreach event. Optional HIV testing was conducted and condoms were distributed. In exchange for their participation, community residents were provided a voucher for use at a community business venue (e.g. grocery stores, barber shops/beauty salons) and they were provided information about Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Business owners also completed an exit survey. Across ten venues located in four zip codes among zip codes with the highest concentrations of Black PLWH, 677 community residents were reached, 14,069 condoms were distributed, 131 individuals were tested for HIV, and 13 business and 5 health organizations were partnered with. Best practices included close partnerships with community consultants with lived expertise to foster collaborative relationships with business owners, and attention to iterative feedback from consultants, business owners and residents engaging in outreach events. Exit interviews with community business owners also revealed themes that reflect positive perceived benefits, satisfaction with collaborating with the study team, and interest in future collaborations. The Five Point Initiative represents a promising HIV health prevention/intervention approach for communities that face significant health disparities yet are underserved due to tremendous systemic and structural inequities.