Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Dec 12, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2025
Brothers Building Brothers by Breaking Barriers (Tele-B6): Protocol for the Adaptation and Implementation of a Telehealth Social Capital Intervention for Young Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV
ABSTRACT
Background:
Young Black sexual minority men (YBSMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, especially in the Southern United States. To address this, we developed Brothers Building Brothers by Breaking Barriers (B6) intervention with a goal of enhancing social capital and engagement in care among YBSMM living with HIV. However, we encountered challenges to feasibility in recruiting and engaging for an in-person intervention.
Objective:
The objectives of this study are to iteratively adapt the original B6 intervention for telehealth delivery (Phase 1), and pilot test the intervention through a waitlist-control trial to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability and safety (Phase 2).
Methods:
In Phase 1, we utilized the ADAPT-ITT framework to structure the iterative adaptation process of B6, working with a diverse study team and a Youth Advisory Board. After completing the preliminary adaptation process, we conducted initial Tele-B6 pilot testing with a community partner organization. The result was a five-week group level intervention, delivered entirely remotely, consisting of a series of adapted activities to address bonding and bridging social capital, affirm intersectional identities, and engage in resilience-building processes. Following feedback integration from pilot-testing, we conducted Phase 2 with 60 YBSMM living with HIV recruited over the course of one year and who were randomized at the group level to either the immediate intervention or delayed (waitlist control) intervention group. Various data sources will be used to measure feasibility, acceptability and safety, including online surveys, post-session evaluation data, in-depth qualitative interviews, and review of medical records for HIV clinical outcomes.
Results:
Phase 1, the adaptation process of B6, began in fall 2022 and was completed in spring 2023. Phase 2, the implementation of the waitlist control trial, began in spring 2023 and concluded in summer 2024. Final follow-up assessments were completed in fall 2024 and results of the mixed methods evaluation are expected in 2025.
Conclusions:
The adaptation process and telehealth delivery of B6 will add to the knowledge of strengths-based interventions designed to improve care engagement among YBSMM living with HIV. Clinical Trial: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05829759 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05829759
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