As Much As I Can – Utilizing Immersive Theatre to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination toward Black Sexual Minority Men

Download as .RIS

Citation

Burns, Paul A.; Klukas, Emily; Sims-Gomillia, Courtney; Omondi, Angela; Bender, Melverta; & Poteat, Tonia (2024). As Much As I Can - Utilizing Immersive Theatre to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination toward Black Sexual Minority Men. Community Health Equity Research & Policy, 44(2), 151-163.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in biomedical HIV prevention modalities such as pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the transmission of HIV, racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority populations are disproportionately impacted by HIV epidemic. Alarming rates of HIV have persisted among Black gay and bisexual men, particularly in Southern states.
METHODS: Utilizing data from the ViiV ACCELERATE! initiative, we explored the impact of As Much As I Can, an immersive theatre production, on HIV-related stigma behaviors. A self-administered post-performance survey was conducted with a cohort (n = 322) of randomly selected audience members.
RESULTS: Overall, the results showed participants had a highly favorable experience, rating the performance with a mean score of 9.77/10. Respondents indicated they intended to change behaviors to promote HIV prevention education and to reduce stigma and discrimination including: (1) Say something if I hear stigmatizing language against people living with HIV (75.4%), (2) Say something if I hear anti-gay language (69.7%) and (3) Tell others about HIV prevention options (e.g., PrEP, PEP, condoms (64.1%). The findings show there is an association between HIV-related behavior intention and linkage to HIV care. Respondents who reported they were more likely to say something about HIV stigma were almost three times (O.R. 2.77; 95% C.I. 0.98-7.8) more likely to indicate they would follow up with a healthcare professional.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that immersive theatre is an effective method for communicating HIV prevention education and reducing HIV-related structural stigma and discrimination that increases HIV vulnerability for Black sexual minority men.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0272684x221115920

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2024

Journal Title

Community Health Equity Research & Policy

Author(s)

Burns, Paul A.
Klukas, Emily
Sims-Gomillia, Courtney
Omondi, Angela
Bender, Melverta
Poteat, Tonia

Article Type

Regular

Data Set/Study

ACCELERATE!

Continent/Country

United States of America

State

Nonspecific

Race/Ethnicity

Black
Asian
White
Hispanic

ORCiD

Poteat - 0000-0001-6541-3787