Multi-level intersectional stigma reduction intervention to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Ghana: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Men with have sex with men (MSM) in Africa face high levels of stigma due to elevated HIV exposure (actual or perceived), same-sex practices, and gender non-conformity. These stigmas are documented barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. Most stigma-reduction interventions have focused on single-level targets (e.g., health care facility level [HCF]) and addressed one type of stigma (e.g., HIV), without engaging the multiple intersecting stigmas that MSM encounter. Determining the feasibility and acceptability of multi-level intervention of reducing intersectional stigma and estimating its efficacy on increasing HIV testing are needed.

Methods: We proposed a mixed method study among MSM in Ghana. First, we will develop the intervention protocol using the Convergence Framework, which combines three interventions that were previously implemented separately in Ghana for reducing stigma at the HCF-level, increasing HIV testing at the peer group-level, and increasing peer social support at the individual-level. Then, we will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial with four pairs of HCFs matched on staff size. HCFs within each pair are randomized to the HCF-level stigma-reduction intervention or control arm. MSM (n = 216) will be randomized to receive the group-level and individual-level interventions or standard of care control arm. MSM will be assigned to receive HIV testing at one of the HCFs that match their study assignment (intervention or control facility). The frequency of HIV testing between MSM in the study arms at 3 and 6 months will be compared, and the predictors of HIV testing uptake at the HCF, peer group and individual-levels will be assessed using multi-level regression models.

Discussion: These findings from this study will provide important evidence to inform a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial of a public health intervention strategy for increasing HIV case detection among key populations in sub-Saharan African communities. Accurate information on HIV prevalence can facilitate epidemic control through more precise deployment of public health measures aimed at HIV treatment and viral load suppression, which eliminates risk of transmission.

Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04108078, on September 27, 2019.

Conflict of interest statement

This study is supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research in the form of a grant to LEN and LN [R01NR019009]. This study also receives core services and support from the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA)—a National Institute of Mental Health AIDS Research Center—in the form of a grant [P30MH062294] (PI: Trace Kershaw). The funders had and will not have a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Figures

Fig 1. Schedule of enrollment, interventions, and assessments.

* = administered to health care workers, ** = administered to MSM, BNSS = basic needs satisfaction scale, HCCQ = health care climate questionnaire, HCF = health care facility, HIV = human immunodeficiency virus, HIVE 3 = HIV Education, Empathy & Empowerment, HP+ = health policy plus, LGBT = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, MSM = men who have sex with men.

Fig 2. Diagram of study design for formative and randomized controlled trial phases.