Date Available

4-25-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Graduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

College

Public Health

Department/School/Program

Public Health

Faculty

Corrine Williams

Committee Member

Richard Crosby

Faculty

Jerod Stapleton

Abstract

Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the southern United States, particularly in Fulton County, Georgia, face disproportionately high rates of HIV and unique structural barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence. Sustained adherence among YBMSM remains low due to intersecting structural, social, and behavioral barriers. To address these disparities, this paper presents an adapted implementation of the evidence-based M-Cubed (Mobile Messaging for Men) mHealth intervention. Prior studies of M-Cubed and similar mHealth interventions have shown promising outcomes in increasing PrEP adherence among Black MSM populations. The adapted intervention integrates culturally tailored messaging specific to behaviors related to PrEP adherence, community-based support from local PrEP clinics, and objective adherence monitoring using TFV-DP blood spot testing. Messaging will be developed based on formative focus groups and guided by community engagement principles. The ultimate aim is to enhance PrEP adherence and self-efficacy among YBMSM in Fulton County. This community-informed, technology-supported approach offers a replicable model for HIV prevention in similarly affected populations.

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