Baseline Characteristics from PrEP Chicago: A Randomized Controlled Diffusion-Based Network Intervention for HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

BACKGROUND: Several studies have documented low knowledge, uptake and retention of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—a biomedical intervention for HIV prevention—among young black MSM (YBMSM). METHODS: PrEP Chicago is a randomized controlled peer change intervention designed to promote uptake of PrEP among YBMSM. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and randomized to intervention or control conditions. Initial seeds for recruitment were selected based on their structural position in a previously described Facebook network. Intervention participants undergo a small group peer change agent workshop led by intervention staff. Booster phone calls are then conducted to participants approximately once per month. The primary focus of the intervention is to motivate participants to discuss PrEP within their social network. Controls attend a group sex-diary session and receive no boosters. After one year, participants cross over conditions. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: PrEP Chicago is a network intervention aimed at increasing PrEP uptake among YBMSM and is showing promising study engagement. Additional examination of PrEP diffusion in the network is needed. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.