Check It: A community-based chlamydia seek, test, and treat program for young Black men who have sex with women in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Abstract

PURPOSE\nCheck It is a novel, bundled, community-based seek, test, and treat Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) screening program for 15-24-year-old Black men in New Orleans who have sex with women. The program design addressed barriers and facilitators to Ct screening/treatment by enlisting trusted community partners, incorporating participant input, providing free index/partner expedited treatment, developing relatable marketing materials and an educational website, encouraging peer referral, and providing a modest monetary incentive.\n\n\nMETHODS\nAreas of high poverty were identified using census data; ethnographic/key informant interviews identified sites in those areas where the target population congregated. Black youth informed website design and social marketing. Content was inspirational/educational/amusing and endorsed recruitment and brand awareness. A community advisory board (CAB), participant interviews, community partner feedback, and recruitment staff involvement in the process evaluation helped refine the program in an ongoing manner.\n\n\nRESULTS\nDuring formative stages, 41 key informant/CAB members informed program refinement. Community partners provided venue locations (n = 65) and participant referrals. Between 5/22/2017 and 2/28/2020, 1890 men were enrolled (acceptance rate 96.0%) with Ct infection rate of 10.2%. Overall study treatment was provided to 86.1% (71.4%-90.9%) of participants who tested positive and 28.5% (14.5%-41.5%) of their partners. Findings from in-depth interviews with participants (n = 43) led to increased treatment uptake.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nCt community screening of young Black men was successful through collaboration with trusted community partners, by tailoring implements/marketing with participant input, reducing barriers to treatment and providing modest monetary incentives. The Check It program can serve as a roadmap for reducing health disparities in this population.