Project Name: Entre Nosotros
Abstract Summary: Entre Nosotros aims to reduce racial/ethnic disparities related to mental illness, substance use disorders, and HIV/STI/HCV infection and care. The program seeks to increase health-promoting behaviors and early detection, diagnosis, and treatment among NYC Hispanic MSM. The program utilizes Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to address various ecological levels, including behavioral health services and HIV/STI/HCV screening and testing.
Focus population/geographic area: LCOA aims to increase engagement in HIV and behavioral health care among NYC Hispanic MSM, regardless of their HIV status, including Spanish speakers and undocumented immigrants. We will focus on Hispanic MSM at high risk or experiencing substance use disorders and/or co-occurring SUDs and mental health conditions. We will focus in the Bronx, Kings, New York, and Queens.
Strategies/interventions: The following Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) will address various ecological levels: health information dissemination, behavioral health screenings and HIV/STI/HCV screening and testing, SBIRT, NIDA Community-Based Outreach Model, and Motivational Interviewing-based psycho-educational sessions, and navigation services.
The program will provide services to approximately 100 Hispanic MSM (70 the first year). Over the course of the 5 years, the program will provide direct individual-level services to approximately 470 Hispanic MSM. The program will also distribute health information and social marketing messages to at least 1,000 Hispanic MSM.
Overarching goal: Increase early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness, substance use disorders, and HIV/STI/HCV infection among Hispanic
Goal 1. Increase behavioral health literacy & reduce stigmatization of behavioral health
Objective 1a Distribute behavioral health sheets (printed and electronically) to 1,000+ Hispanic MSM
Objective 1b Provide two individual behavioral health sessions to 125 Hispanic MSM
Goal 2. Increase awareness of mental illness, substance misuse, and HIV/STI/HCV risks
Objective 2a Provide individualized behavioral health education to 100 Hispanic MSM
Objective 2b Provide HIV/STI/HCV education to 100 Hispanic MSM to increase awareness of biomedical interventions (i.e., U=U, PrEP/PEP, testing) and intention to reduce condomless sex
Goal 3. Increase adoption of health-promoting and help-seeking behaviors
Objective 3a Provide substance misuse prevention education to 75 Hispanic MSM
Objective 3b Provide HIV/STI/HCV prevention education to 75 Hispanic MSM
Objective 3c Provide 1 to 2 psycho-educational sessions on mental health education to 75 Hispanic MSM
Objective 3d Conduct behavioral screenings of 70 Hispanic MSM
Objective 3e Conduct comprehensive health and socioeconomic assessments of 75 Hispanic MSM
Goal 4. Increase access to and utilization of care and treatment for mental illness, substance use disorders, and HIV/STI/HCV
Objective 4a Provide HIV Fourth Generation Rapid Tests to 100 Hispanic MSM and HCV screening to 25 Hispanic MSM to increase awareness of HIV and HCV status
Objective 4b Provide navigation services to 10 Hispanic MSM living with HIV and out of care
Objective 4c Provide navigation services to STI services to 75 Hispanic MS
Objective 4d Link 2 newly HIV-diagnosed or out-of-care Hispanic MSM to HIV care (within a week)
Objective 4e Provide education and navigation services to PrEP/PEP health providers to at least 50 Hispanic MSM with a non-reactive HIV result
Objective 4f Provide navigation and follow-up services to behavioral health services to 75 Hispanic MSM
Objective 4g Provide 75 Hispanic MSM with navigation and follow-up services to key health, social, and economic support services impacting utilization of behavioral health services