TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving Research Dissemination to Black Sexual Minority Men
T2 - Development of a Community-Led and Theory-Based Dissemination Plan
AU - USHINE Community Advisory Board
AU - Sawyer, Simone
AU - Grieb, Suzanne M.
AU - Long, Amanda
AU - Tilchin, Carla
AU - Clark, Charles
AU - Greenbaum, Adena
AU - Jennings, Jacky M.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant titled Network Epidemiology of Syphilis Transmission (NEST; 1U01PS005171-01). The USHINE Community Advisory Board includes Marcus Henry, Ian James, Antwine Jenkins, Ken Johnson, Reginald Johnson Jr., and Cody Lopez. We acknowledge Ricky Granderson, MPH, John Benton Denny, and Kevon-Mark Jackman, DrPH, MPH, for help with focus groups.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Society for Public Health Education.
PY - 2023/1
Y1 - 2023/1
N2 - Background. Although research dissemination to participants and community stakeholders is a fundamental component of translational research, it rarely occurs. The objective of this study was to create a community-led, theory-based dissemination plan to engage local Black sexual minority men in an active dissemination process throughout a sexual health research study. Method. Seven focus groups (N = 38) were conducted with Black, cisgender sexual minority men aged 18 to 45 years. Findings were analyzed through thematic content analysis guided by McGuire’s persuasive communication theory. Findings were used to draft a dissemination plan, which was then reviewed and edited by the study’s community advisory board (CAB). The plan continues to be updated in response to community needs through CAB discussions. Results. Participants preferred messages concerning syphilis and other health concerns as well as information on local resources. Preferred sources included researchers working with trusted community organizations and leaders. Preferred channels included community events and social media, implemented with consistency. CAB feedback included expanding the target audience of dissemination efforts as well as the development of ideas for channels (i.e., events) and sources (i.e., community organizations and leaders). Additional revisions occurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion. Given the continued lack of research dissemination to participant and community stakeholders, the process of developing a community-led, theory-based dissemination plan may benefit and help guide researchers to adopt this practice. It is critical that participant and community stakeholder dissemination become more highly prioritized as we strive for public health improvements and the elimination of health disparities.
AB - Background. Although research dissemination to participants and community stakeholders is a fundamental component of translational research, it rarely occurs. The objective of this study was to create a community-led, theory-based dissemination plan to engage local Black sexual minority men in an active dissemination process throughout a sexual health research study. Method. Seven focus groups (N = 38) were conducted with Black, cisgender sexual minority men aged 18 to 45 years. Findings were analyzed through thematic content analysis guided by McGuire’s persuasive communication theory. Findings were used to draft a dissemination plan, which was then reviewed and edited by the study’s community advisory board (CAB). The plan continues to be updated in response to community needs through CAB discussions. Results. Participants preferred messages concerning syphilis and other health concerns as well as information on local resources. Preferred sources included researchers working with trusted community organizations and leaders. Preferred channels included community events and social media, implemented with consistency. CAB feedback included expanding the target audience of dissemination efforts as well as the development of ideas for channels (i.e., events) and sources (i.e., community organizations and leaders). Additional revisions occurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion. Given the continued lack of research dissemination to participant and community stakeholders, the process of developing a community-led, theory-based dissemination plan may benefit and help guide researchers to adopt this practice. It is critical that participant and community stakeholder dissemination become more highly prioritized as we strive for public health improvements and the elimination of health disparities.
KW - Black sexual minority men
KW - community engagement
KW - dissemination
KW - men who have sex with men
KW - research communication
KW - results sharing
KW - sexually transmitted infections
KW - syphilis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85117531693&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85117531693&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/15248399211048462
DO - 10.1177/15248399211048462
M3 - Article
C2 - 34628974
AN - SCOPUS:85117531693
SN - 1524-8399
VL - 24
SP - 144
EP - 152
JO - Health promotion practice
JF - Health promotion practice
IS - 1
ER -