Success Case Study Interview

Form Approved:

OMB No. 0920-0913

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Evaluating Locally-Developed HIV Prevention Interventions for African-American MSM in Los Angeles

Attachment 3i

Success Case Study Interview

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MyLife MyStyle

CASE STUDY guide

Start time:

INTRODUCTION:

Hello, my name is ________. As you know, our research project is looking at the variety of ways that the MyLife MyStyle group sessions may have impacted decisions you’ve made since attending the group sessions. In general, we are interested in hearing your opinions about the group sessions you attended. We are also interested in specific changes that may have occurred in your behaviors and attitudes as a result of being part of the MyLife groups. During this interview, we would like you to share your opinions, knowledge, and experiences with us.

Because there will be a lot of information that I will not be able to remember or write down, this interview will be digitally recorded. This allows us to get an accurate account of our conversation in your own words. Our conversation will be transcribed, that is, typed up word-for-word. As mentioned in the consent form, nothing that identifies you will be included in the typed-up version of our conversation and the digital recording will be deleted once we check the transcript for accuracy.

The interview will take between 1 and 1½ hours to complete. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Please speak from your own experiences so that we can get the best information possible. If you feel uncomfortable answering any question, let me know and I will move onto the next question. There will be time after the interview for you to ask any questions you might have about this project.

Do you have any questions for me before we begin? (If, no) Okay, let’s start. First I would like to know what term you want me to use when I am describing men who have sex with men. Do you tend to use “gay”, “bisexual”, “MSM”, or another term? Okay, I will try to use ____ during our discussion today.

[TURN DIGITAL RECORDER ON]

[Before starting questions, say the Study ID number into the digital recorder.]

A. EXPERIENCE WITH MYLIFE GROUP SESSIONS

A1. How did you first hear about the MyLife MyStyle program?

A2. What is your opinion about the setting/atmosphere where the MyLife group sessions were held?

[Probe:

• What did you like or dislike about the space where the group sessions were held?]

A3. What do you remember most about being part of the MyLife program?

[Probes:

• What was your favorite part of being in the group sessions?

• What was your least favorite part of being in the group sessions?

• How much did you keep in contact with the other men in your group?]

A4. What is your opinion of the facilitator/group leader who conducted the MyLife group sessions?

[Probes:

• How knowledgeable was the facilitator about the kinds of issues young Black gay/bisexual men face in their lives?

• How well did the facilitator relate to you and the other group members?

• Was there anything in particular about the facilitator that impacted you?

A5. What was the most important message or lesson that you took away from the MyLife program?

[Probes:

• How has your participation in the MyLife program had an impact on your life?

• What is the most important change you made after being part of the group sessions?

• On the last day of the sessions, do you remember coming up with a personal action plan to reduce your HIV risk?

• What goal and action steps did you identify for your plan?

• On a scale of A through F how would you grade your success in achieving that goal? Why would you grade yourself that way?

• How has your participation in the MyLife program affected your sexual behaviors (ask about safer and unsafe sex behaviors)?

A6. How would you change the MyLife program to be more interesting or more helpful to young men like yourself?

[Probes:

• Can you give an example of a change you want to make (in your life or in your relationships) that you’d like to see addressed in the MyLife program?

• What are some topics that were not covered in the MyLife group sessions that you feel are important to young Black gay/bisexual men and their sexual health?]

A7. How have you stayed connected with In The Meantime Men’s Group after the end of the MyLife sessions?

[Probes: FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED ITMT AFTER MYLIFE….

• How many social events have you attended at ITMT?

• How many discussion groups have you attended at ITMT?

• What other HIV prevention groups or research studies have you taken part in after the MyLife groups?

• What do you think is the best program or aspect of the ITMT organization?]

A8. As you know, the MyLife MyStyle program is made up of three group sessions taking place over three days. How many of the three group meetings did you attend?

[Probes: IF RESPONDENT DID NOT ATTEND ALL GROUP SESSIONS:

• What were some of the reasons you did not attend all three group sessions?

• What were some other barriers for attending the group sessions?

• What recommendations can you make that would have helped you to attend more of the group sessions?

IF RESPONDENT DID ATTEND ALL GROUP SESSIONS:

• Thank you for attending all the group sessions. What was it about the group sessions that influenced you to come every time?

• If there were any barriers for you to attend all the group sessions, how did you manage to overcome those barriers?]

B. IMPACT OF HOMOPHOBIA ON SEXUAL IDENTITY AND SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can experience discrimination from other members of society because of their sexual identity. This is often called homophobia. These next questions are about how homophobia or sexual discrimination may have impacted your life and relationships.

Do you think experiences of homophobia (discrimination) can affect the kinds of sexual relationships/partnerships young black Gay men have with other men.

B1. What is an example of how you have been treated unfairly (or experienced homophobia) because of your attraction to men?

[Probes:

• What about in the home you grew up in? Your home now? In your place of worship? In your neighborhood or the broader community?

• How has discrimination as a result of you having sex with men affected the way you get along with family and/or friends who are less accepting of gay/lesbian/bisexual people?

• How has discrimination as a result of you having sex with men impacted the way you express your own sexual identity?

• What role does this sexual discrimination play in the kinds of sexual relationships you have now (or have had in the past)?

• To what extent do you think experiences with discrimination, as a result of you having sex with men, prevented you from having a fulfilling relationship with a man/boyfriend?

• What helps you deal with this sexual discrimination?]

B2. In what ways did the MyLife group sessions help you understand the impact of homophobia or sexual discrimination on your sexual life and relationships?

[Probes:

• What are some other ways that homophobia or sexual discrimination has impacted your own sexual risks or choices in relationships in the past?]

C. INCREASED POSITIVE BELIEFS ABOUT BEING BLACK AND GAY/BISEXUAL

Some gay/bisexual men believe it is difficult to find acceptance in the Black community because of their sexuality. These next questions are about your views about being Black and gay/bisexual and how these views may have changed over time.

C1. How have your views about being both Black and gay/bisexual changed after being in the MyLife group sessions?

[Probes:

• Can you tell me about your views before participating in the program?

• How comfortable are you now with being a Black gay/bisexual man?

• How did the MyLife sessions impact how you see or express yourself as a man?

• How have changes in your views had an impact on your sexual behaviors and relationships?]

D. INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF HIV RISK FOR AAMSM COMMUNITY

An important part of reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS among young Black gay/bisexual men is understanding what puts young men at risk. The next question is about new things you might have learned by being involved in the MyLife group sessions.

D1. Please describe something new about HIV/AIDS risk among Black gay/bisexual men that you learned in the MyLife sessions.

[Probes:

• [FOR HIV-NEGATIVE OR UNKNOWN MEN] How did the MyLife sessions change your understanding of how much you are at risk for HIV or STIs?

• Now that you know more about the risk for yourself and your peers, how has this impacted your own sexual risk behaviors?]

E. INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUAL HEALTH RISK

Many young Black gay/bisexual men would like to know more about sexually transmitted infections and the things they can do to improve their sexual health. The next question is about what you may have learned in the third MyLife group session.

E1. In session three, the facilitator shared information about STIs. Please describe how this information may have changed the way you think about (or deal with) your sexual health.

[Probes:

• How did the session help you change the way you think about your own health needs?

• How did the session impact the way you may talk to your health provider in the future?

• How did session three impact the way you talk or think about anal sex?

• What topics were missing from the MyLife sessions that are important to young gay/bisexual men’s sexual health?]

[Interviewer: “We discussed a lot of important issues today. Is there anything you’d like to add before we complete the interview? … Thank you for sharing your time”]

End time:

10

Version date: October 15, 2013