Supporting statement B

Request for Sub-collection Under the

Approved Generic ICR: Formative Research and Tool Development

OMB No. 0920-0840, Expiration 31 January 2013

Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) Project:

Sexual risk-taking among young black men who have sex with men: exploring the social and situational contexts of HIV risk, prevention, and treatment (BROTHERS CONNECT STUDY)

Supporting Statement

Part B

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

This information collection request does not employ statistical methods. The following is a description of data collection procedures.

B.1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

Young BMSM, ages 18 to 30 years who live in New York City, meet the eligibility criteria, and who agree to enroll will be asked to come to the study offices in Harlem to receive an orientation to the study. Inclusion criteria are:

• Male sex at birth, male gender identification;

• Self-identification as Black, African-American, Black Latino, Black Caribbean/West Indian, or mixed-race Black/African-American;

• Confirmed age between 18 and 30 years;

• Involvement in sexual behavior (oral or anal penetrative intercourse) with another man in the last two months;

• Access to a private email account that is checked on a regular basis.

The goal is to enroll a convenience sample of young BMSM that includes adequate representation across age groups and recruitment venues. A minimum of 250 young BMSM are needed to obtain adequate formative information about their perspectives about HIV prevention, testing and treatment. A minimum of 150 young BMSM are needed to ensure that the web-based diary data collection methods are acceptable and valid for HIV prevention data collection with this population.

B.2. Procedures for the Collection of Information

B.2.1. Recruitment

Young BMSM living in NYC will be recruited for the study using multiple strategies, including recruitment at community-based organizations (CBOs) in the NYC metropolitan area, public placement of posters and palm cards (Attachment 4), through advertisements placed in local media (such as the Village Voice, and gay-themed periodicals), ads placed on web sites attracting Black MSM (e.g., AdamforAdam.com, Blackgaychat.com, gay.com), and through referrals from enrolled participants.

B.2.2. Screening and Scheduling Procedures

Prior to obtaining consent, participants will be screened to determine their eligibility. Most screening will occur via the phone (i.e., when interested men call to study offices), but participants may also be screened face-to-face with data collected electronically 100% of the time. Study staff will let participants know prior to screening that they have to ask the interested person a few questions, some of which they may think are personal in nature. Those who decline or are uncomfortable will not be screened, or asked to call back/inquire about the study again if or when they are comfortable doing so.

After screening, eligible young BMSM will be asked to schedule a time to come to the study offices for the study orientation. The orientation includes verbally informing participants of their rights and obtaining consent for participation in the study. There are separate orientations for cross-sectional survey participants, and those who are selected for and express interest in participating in the longitudinal sex diary and in-depth interview components of the study.

B.2.3. Data Collection Methods

a) Individual, in-depth interviews (Qualitative interviewing)

Individual interviews will be conducted at the study location at a time that fits participant schedules. Interviewers will assure the respondents the needed degree of privacy during the interview. The consent form describes that the interview will be recorded. However, respondents will always have the choice not to participate in the interview and/or not to be recorded. If a respondent chooses not to be recorded, only written notes from the interview will be used.

b) Cognitive interviewing (Individual interviewing)

During the cognitive portion of the individual interviews (final sex diary session), respondents are asked questions about documenting their sexual activities in the web-based diary and asked to explain how they felt utilizing this mechanism for data collection. The interviewer will probe as needed to ascertain the degree of comprehension and the recall processes involved.

c) Surveys including CAPI/CASI, ACASI, web-based surveys

Young BMSM will be surveyed by ACASI and by completing web-based structured diaries (Attachment 1). Surveys will be offered at the study enrollment site immediately following the participant’s informed consent and orientation to the study procedures. Surveys will take place in a private room in the study location. Study personnel will be available on-site to answer any questions. The ACASI survey program will be audible by headphones and visible on the computer screen in English. The primary means for communication with sex diary participants will be through private email. Email messages will be used to set up appointments with participants and remind them to complete surveys. Calls to participants will only be made when email contact fails, or if participants request speaking to a study staff member by phone.

B.3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

If increased response rates are needed based on low enrollment, study staff will increase recruitment efforts at sites visited by young BMSM. In addition, snowball sampling will be used (young BMSM who enroll in the study will be asked to invite up to a maximum of 5 friends from their social network who meet the eligibility criteria to participate).

B.4. Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

This submission is a request for authorization to conduct tests of procedures and methodologies typical in methods and instrument development.

B.5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals and/or Analyzing Data

No other individuals were consulted on the statistical aspects or analysis of data from this sub-collection.

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