Health Insurance Coverage Predicts Health Care Use among Latine Immigrants in Two Policy Contexts.

This study analyzed electronic health record (EHR) data from 2016 through 2019 from a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving predominantly low-income Latine immigrants in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to examine how changes in health insurance coverage relate to changes in health care use. Federally qualified health center clients were insured for an average of 59% to 63% of their annual visits, but about one-third had no coverage throughout the year. Findings from descriptive regression and within-client fixed effects models indicate that in years with higher proportions of insured visits, clients averaged more medical visits and interpreter services but fewer mental health and care coordination visits. Latine immigrant clients in D.C., a city with a universal health insurance option, had health insurance coverage for 89% of their visits, and averaged more medical and fewer coordination visits relative to those in a neighboring county in a state without a universal insurance option.

Mobile Phone-Based Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing (CONSORT): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Critical to efforts to end the HIV epidemic is the identification of persons living with HIV who have yet to be diagnosed and engaged in care. Expanded HIV testing outreach efforts need to be both efficient and ambitious, targeting the social networks of persons living with HIV and those at above-average risk of undiagnosed HIV infection. The ubiquity of mobile phones across many high HIV prevalence settings has created opportunities to leverage mobile health (mHealth) technologies to engage social networks for HIV testing outreach, prevention, and treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a novel mHealth intervention, "Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing (CONSORT)," to nudge at-risk individuals to test for HIV using SMS text messages. METHODS: We will conduct the CONSORT study in Moshi, Tanzania, the commercial center and administrative capital of the Kilimanjaro Region in northern Tanzania. After qualitative formative work and pilot testing, we will enroll 400 clients presenting for HIV counseling and testing and 200 persons living with HIV and receiving care at HIV care and treatment centers as "inviters" into a randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be aged 18 years or older and live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi. We will randomize inviters into 1 of 2 study arms. All inviters will be asked to complete a survey of their HIV testing and risk behaviors and to think of social network contacts who would benefit from HIV testing. They will then be asked to whom they would prefer to extend an HIV testing invitation in the form of a physical invitation card. Arm 1 participants will also be given the opportunity to extend CONSORT invitations in the form of automated confidential SMS text messages to any of their social network contacts or "invitees." Arm 2 participants will be offered physical invitation cards alone. The primary outcome will be counselor-documented uptake of HIV testing by invitees within 30 days of inviter enrollment. Secondary outcomes will include the acceptability of CONSORT among inviters, the number of new HIV diagnoses, and the HIV risk of invitees who present for testing. RESULTS: Enrollment in the randomized controlled trial is expected to start in September 2024. The findings will be disseminated to stakeholders and published in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSIONS: If CONSORT is acceptable and effective for increasing the uptake of HIV testing, given the minimal costs of SMS text reminders and the potential for exponential but targeted growth using chain referrals, it may shift current practices for HIV testing programs in the area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov NCT05967208; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05967208. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/55068.

'You are looked upon as a luxury tool': Young Tanzanian women's perception of community norms supporting partner violence during transactional sex (kudanga).

This paper explores the definition of, and perceived community attitudes, toward kudanga, a Swahili street term for a type of transactional sex practised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Rooted in economic and gender disparity, transactional sex increases adolescent girls' and young women's vulnerability to HIV and gender-based violence. We sought to understand perceived community attitudes about kudanga, and how the internalisation of norms surrounding gender-based violence relate to the experiences of young women who practise kudanga. Using qualitative data from focus group discussions with 37 young women, we found that community perceptions of kudanga were largely negative, and those who engaged in it were looked down upon and despised. Violence and lack of sexual agency were normalised when doing kudanga. However, young women understood kudanga to often be their best option to obtain economic stability and felt strongly that those who practised kudanga should not be stigmatised. Our research provides further evidence that transactional sex exists on a continuum and highlights the importance of reducing community stigma surrounding transactional sex as a means of decreasing risk of HIV and gender-based violence for young women. To our knowledge, this article is the first to explore kudanga.

Reaching Out-of-school Adolescent Girls and Young Women at Risk for HIV Through Their Social Networks.

Out-of-school adolescent girls/young women (AGYW) in Africa are at increased risk for HIV and are underserved by HIV prevention interventions. Identifying social networks of out-of-school AGYW may be a strategic approach for reaching them. A sequential mixed methods study design was used. The PLACE (Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts) methodology, implemented in one ward of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, identified 69 networks of AGYW. We randomly selected 28 networks and conducted surveys and network assessments with 80.9% (n = 310) of the members. On average, the networks consisted of 13.7 members, and had a density of 0.65 and a transitivity of 0.80, indicating high cohesion. The networks were mostly female (92%). On average, 67% of network membership were AGYW aged 15-24 years, of whom 70% were out-of-school and 67% were sexually active. Among sexually active AGYW aged 15-24, self-reported HIV seropositivity was 12.2%. We then conducted focus group discussions with 6 purposively selected networks. AGYW described their networks as sources of support and advice. Social norms supported AGYW engaging in transactional sex to alleviate life's hardships; it was the easiest way to earn income without "sweating". AGYW discussed IPV as a common experience, and social norms stigmatized AGYWs' use of condoms. AGYW were largely unaware of pre-exposure prophylaxis. The self-reported HIV prevalence rates of this cohort were higher than national averages, suggesting we tapped into high-risk networks. Social norms promoted transactional and unprotected sex. Social networks are an acceptable channel for HIV prevention intervention delivery to out-of-school AGYW.

Development and implementation of a process evaluation for intervention quality improvement of a community-based behavioral HIV intervention trial in Tanzania.

Aim: Process evaluations for social and behavioral interventions are increasingly important as interventions become more complex and multi-faceted. Conducting process evaluations in low-resource international settings can be challenging. Process evaluations in low-resource international settings can help inform and improve quality of ongoing intervention implementation. We conducted a process evaluation of a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a microfinance and health leadership program on sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence perpetration among young men in Tanzania. Subject and Methods: Our trial included 1,491 participants and the intervention lasted two years. We collected process data on microfinance loan uptake and repayment, and health leaders' health conversations with peers to monitor intervention reach and dose received. We developed a database system that allowed offline data collection and synced to a central database when internet was accessible. Research staff in the U.S. accessed data from the central database to analyze and create regular implementation reports. Results: Process graphical reports facilitated identification of implementation challenges and enabled us to resolve issues before they worsened. For example, from a group with low microfinance loan repayment we learned area participants perceived the loan to be a grant, and then we clarified the misinformation with participants. Conclusions: The process evaluation helped inform ongoing intervention implementation, including approaches to improve reach and uptake of interventions. Field staff time was protected by systemizing the sharing of data processing and analyses across the global team.

Confronting 'chaos': a qualitative study assessing public health officials' perceptions of the factors affecting Tanzania's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

OBJECTIVES: Mass COVID-19 vaccination in Africa is required to end the pandemic. In low-income settings, street-level bureaucrats (SLBs), or public officials who interact directly with citizens, are typically responsible for carrying out vaccination plans and earning community confidence in vaccines. The study interviewed SLBs to assess their perceptions of the factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Tanzania. METHODS: We interviewed 50 SLBs (19 rural; 31 urban) responsible for implementing COVID-19 vaccination microplans across four diverse regions and districts of Tanzania in September 2021. Moreover, we conducted six in-depth interviews with non-governmental organisation representatives and seven focus group discussions with health facility governing committees. We asked for their perceptions of factors facilitating and challenging vaccine rollout according to three preidentified domains: political, health system and community. We analysed translated transcripts using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Political factors facilitating mass vaccination included the executive leadership change from a denialist president to a president who accepted vaccines and promoted transparency. Global integration, commercially and politically, also motivated vaccine acceptance. Political challenges included community confusion that emerged from the consecutive presidents' divergent communications and messaging by prominent religious antivaccination leaders. Health system factors facilitating vaccination included scaling up of immunisation sites and campaigns. Urban district officials reported greater access to vaccination sites, compared with rural officials. Limited financial resources for paying healthcare workers and for transport fuel and a lack of COVID-19 testing compromised mass vaccination. Furthermore, SLBs reported being inadequately trained on COVID-19 vaccine benefits and side effects. Having community sources of accurate information was critical to mass vaccination. Challenges at the community level included patriarchal gender dynamics, low risk perception, disinformation that the vaccine has satanic elements, and lack of trust in coronavirus vaccines. CONCLUSION: Mass COVID-19 vaccination in Tanzania will require greater resources and investment in training SLBs to mitigate mistrust, overcome misinformation, and engage communities.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Cost-Effectiveness of a Novel Mobile Phone Intervention to Promote Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Within Social Networks in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT: Among 145 individuals surveyed in Tanzania, 42% indicated willingness to test for human immunodeficiency virus in response to a confidential, phone-based text message. On average, participants were likely to provide contact information for 1.5 members of their social networks, suggesting high feasibility and moderate acceptability of a novel mHealth human immunodeficiency virus testing intervention.

Coping with Denialism: How Street-Level Bureaucrats Adapted and Responded to COVID-19 in Tanzania.

CONTEXT: This article aims to highlight challenges and adaptations made by local health officials in Tanzania in working to contain and manage COVID-19. METHODS: The study takes an inductive approach, drawing on the reported experiences of 40 officials at different levels of government across four purposefully selected regions in July 2020. Interviewees were asked about the guidance they received to contain COVID-19, the source of that guidance, their challenges and successes in implementing the guidance, and if and how they adapted the guidance to their particular setting. FINDINGS: The interviews depict considerable challenges, including a lack of supplies and resources for implementing infection control, surveillance, and mitigation practices and dealing with fear and stigma. At the same time, they also provide evidence of innovation and adaptation among street-level bureaucrats. Respondents overwhelmingly praised the president, whose limited national response is seen as helpful for reducing fear and stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Other scholars have highlighted the potential dangers of street-level discretion if local officials "make policy" in ways that contradict their agencies' stated goals. In contrast, our study suggests benefits of autonomy at the street level-particularly in contexts where the central state was relatively weak and/or acting against the public interest.

UNDERSTANDING FEAR OF DEPORTATION AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTHCARE ACCESS AMONG IMMIGRANT LATINX MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

Purpose: Fear of deportation and its relationship to healthcare access has been less studied among immigrant Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM), a population at risk for HIV and characterized by their multiple minority statuses. The first step is to accurately measure their fear of deportation. Approach: We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Eligibility criteria were that research participants be ages 18-34 years; Latinx; cisgender male; having had sex with another male; residing in the District of Columbia metro area; and not a US citizen or legal permanent resident. In Study 1, we used in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Using participants' interview responses, we inductively generated 15 items for a fear of deportation scale. In Study 2, we used survey data to assess the scale's psychometric properties. We conducted independent samples t-test on the associations between scale scores and barriers to healthcare access. Findings: For the 20 participants in Study 1, fear of deportation resulted in chronic anxiety. Participants managed their fear through vigilance, and behaviors restricting their movement and social network engagement. In Study 2, we used data from 86 mostly undocumented participants. The scale was internally consistent (α = 0.89) and had a single factor. Those with higher fear of deportation scores were significantly more likely to report avoiding healthcare because they were worried about their immigration status (p = 0.007). Originality: We described how fear of deportation limits healthcare access for immigrant Latinx MSM. Research implications: Future research should examine fear of deportation and HIV risk among immigrant Latinx MSM.

"Hay que seguir en la lucha": An FQHC's Community Health Action Approach to Promoting Latinx Immigrants' Individual and Community Resilience.

Latinx immigrants have poorer access to health care, compared to non-Latinx Whites. Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide clinical and community programing to address their clients' health needs. One mechanism by which FQHC's may strengthen Latinx immigrant well-being is by promoting their individual and community resilience. We partnered with La Clínica del Pueblo (La Clínica), an FQHC serving Latinx immigrants in Washington, DC and Prince George's County, Maryland. We conducted in-depth interviews in Spanish with 30 La Clínica clients to explore the daily adversities they faced, how they coped, and how La Clínica helped them cope. We conducted thematic analysis using Dedoose software. All participants were from Central America; 37% were undocumented. Participants were 18-78 years old, 70% cis-females, 23% cis-males (10% gay men), and 7% transgender. 57% reported a serious health issue, including diabetes. Participants identified three main adversities: immigration legal status, language, and isolation/depression. Residents of Prince George's, compared to DC, as well as sexual/gender minorities, reported more barriers to accessing health care. Sources of individual resilience for participants included fighting to improve their children's lives, relying on supportive networks, and using La Clínica as a safety net to overcome health access barriers. Sources of community resilience included La Clínica's safe spaces, support groups, referrals to outside legal service providers, and health promoter training. Latinx immigrants face multiple daily adversities, but we find evidence that La Clínica's community health action approach promotes their resilience. We offer a conceptual model for how FQHCs can foster resilience and strengthen immigrant health.

The Health of Undocumented Latinx Immigrants: What We Know and Future Directions.

Undocumented Latinx immigrants experience unique factors prior to migration, during migration, and after migration that shape their health. Our review summarizes the limited but growing literature highlighting how exposure to trauma, immigration enforcement, changes to social networks, and discrimination negatively affect the mental and physical health of undocumented Latinx immigrants. We also discuss how policies and social ties can promote their health. We focus on areas of particular concern, including health care, mental health, and HIV. Future research should use interdisciplinary approaches and intersectional frameworks to understand and address health inequities. Conducting research with undocumented Latinx immigrant communities requires community engagement, assurance of confidentiality, and creative recruitment and retention strategies. Recommendations for public health practice include investing in community health centers and organizations to ensure access to health and social services; presenting results with sufficient contextualization to interpret their generalizability; and advocating for federal-, state-, and local-level policy changes that reduce the negative health consequences associated with being undocumented.

Results from a cluster-randomized trial to evaluate a microfinance and peer health leadership intervention to prevent HIV and intimate partner violence among social networks of Tanzanian men.

Despite calls to engage men in HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention efforts, effective approaches to reach and engage men in low-resource, high-HIV prevalence settings are limited. We identified and engaged social networks of mostly young men in a study designed to evaluate the efficacy of a combined microfinance and peer health leadership intervention to prevent HIV and IPV. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial among 60 social networks locally referred to as "camps" within Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Camps were randomly assigned (1:1) to a microfinance and peer health leadership intervention or a control condition that received a brief delayed intervention after the study's conclusion. Allocation was not masked to participants or researchers. Behavioral assessments were conducted at baseline and 30-months post-intervention launch, with biological samples drawn at 30-months to test for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Primary outcomes included prevalence of STIs and past-year IPV perpetration. Secondary outcomes included STI sexual risk behaviors and past-year HIV testing. Proximal intervention targets included inequitable gender norm attitudes and hope. A modified Poisson regression approach was used to estimate intention-to-treat intervention effects on outcomes assessed at the 30-month follow-up. We enrolled 1,258 men within 60 camps. Of these men, 1,029 (81.8%) completed the 30-month follow-up. There were no differences by condition in STI prevalence, IPV perpetration, or sexual risk behaviors at the 30-month follow-up. Intervention participants reported greater levels of past-year HIV testing, controlling for baseline testing (aRR 1.13 95% CI 1.005-1.28). They also reported significantly lower levels of inequitable gender norm attitudes (adjusted effect -0.11, 95% CI -0.21-0.003). We successfully engaged and retained social networks of men in this multilevel intervention study. While we did not see an effect on the primary outcomes, our intervention successfully improved HIV testing and reduced inequitable gender norm attitudes.

Using Syndemics Theory to Examine HIV Sexual Risk Among Latinx Men Who Have Sex with Men in Philadelphia, PA: Findings from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance.

Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Identifying the role of multiple syndemic factors associated with sexual risk behaviors is imperative in order to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Cross-sectional data for this study were derived from three cycles of the Philadelphia portion of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. This study explored the impact of syndemic factors - heavy drinking, exchange sex, and homophobic discrimination - on sexual HIV risk behaviors, operationalized as number of male partners, and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with main and casual partners among Latinx MSM (n=464). Analyses took two forms: a syndemic approach, using the cumulative number of conditions as an independent variable; and a non-syndemic approach, incorporating each condition as a unique factor. In multivariable syndemic analyses, participants with two or more factors reported more male partners and more CAI casual male partners than those with none. In non-syndemic models, homophobic discrimination and exchange sex were significantly positively associated with total number of male partners, while heavy drinking was associated with more casual CAI partners. Quantitative results indicate that syndemic and non-syndemic approaches vary in their relative capacity to account for sexual risk among Latinx MSM.

RESUMEN: Los hombres latinos que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) continúan siendo desproporcionadamente afectados por el VIH / SIDA. Identificar el papel de múltiples factores sindémicos asociados con las conductas de riesgo sexual es imprescindible para desarrollar estrategias efectivas de prevención y tratamiento. Los datos transversales para este estudio se derivaron de tres ciclos de la parte de Filadelfia del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia del Comportamiento del VIH. Este estudio exploró el impacto de los factores sindémicos (consumo excesivo de alcohol, sexo de intercambio y discriminación homofóbica) en los comportamientos sexuales de riesgo de VIH, operacionalizados como el número de parejas masculinas y las relaciones anales sin condón (IAC) con parejas principales y casuales entre los HSH latinos (n = 464). Los análisis tomaron dos formas: un enfoque sindémico, usando el número acumulado de condiciones como una variable independiente; y un enfoque no sindémico, que incorpora cada condición como un factor único. En análisis sinádicos multivariables, los participantes con dos o más factores informaron más parejas masculinas y más parejas masculinas casuales CAI que aquellos sin ninguno. En los modelos no sindémicos, la discriminación homofóbica y el intercambio sexual se asociaron significativamente positivamente con el número total de parejas masculinas, mientras que el consumo excesivo de alcohol se asoció con parejas CAI más casuals. Los resultados cuantitativos indican que los enfoques sindémicos y no sindémicos varían en su capacidad relativa para dar cuenta del riesgo sexual entre los HSH latinos. PALABRAS CLAVE: Conductas de riesgo sexual del VIH, Latinos gays y bisexuales, Condiciones sindémicas, Consumo de alcohol de alto riesgo, Intercambio de sexo, Homofobia.

Engaging Young Men as Community Health Leaders in an STI and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: This article presents lessons learned from a microfinance and health intervention for young men designed to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We describe the different strategies we used to identify and train young men to become change agents within their social networks. DESCRIPTION: A cluster-randomized trial with 60 camps was undertaken in the Kinondoni District of Dar es Salaam. A total of 170 members from 30 intervention camps were trained in March 2014 as popular opinion leaders (POLs), whom we call Camp Health Leaders (CHLs). We describe the process of nominating, training, and retaining CHLs. We also describe our monitoring process, which included the collection of weekly diaries assessing topics discussed, number of peers engaged in conversations, reactions of peers, and challenges faced. LESSONS LEARNED: POLs within naturally existing social networks can be engaged in STI and IPV prevention initiatives. Continuous efforts in retention, such as holding community advisory board (CAB) meetings, developing prevention slogans and t-shirts, and offering small grants to POL teams for intervention activities, were important to keeping POLs engaged in the intervention. Further, booster-training sessions were critical to maintain the message of the project and ensure that the challenges POLs face with implementing the programs were addressed in a timely manner. CONCLUSION: Recruiting POLs in a Tanzanian urban setting and engaging them in STI and IPV reduction through social networks is possible. Training POLs in health information and interpersonal communication is important. Utilizing booster sessions and a variety of retention strategies for POLs in programs that aim to reduce IPV and STI infections among young men is essential to maintain the health leaders' engagement in the intervention as well as intervention fidelity.

Antiretroviral Treatment Interruptions Among Black and Latina Transgender Women Living with HIV: Characterizing Co-occurring, Multilevel Factors Using the Gender Affirmation Framework.

Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW) are disproportionately impacted by HIV but remain underrepresented in HIV and health services research. Between March 2016 and May 2017, BLTW (N = 201) were recruited in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC through convenience sampling for a survey assessing multilevel determinants of HIV risk and treatment outcomes. Interviews concluded with a rapid oral HIV test. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to identify gender affirmation-related correlates of self-reported HIV treatment interruptions (HIVTIs) among BLTW living with HIV who had initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) (n = 96). Among them, 57.3% (n = 55) reported at least one HIVTI. Unmet surgical needs (aOR = 1.6), past-year marijuana use (aOR = 14.6), and no current hormone use (aOR = 24.9) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with HIVTIs in multivariable analysis. Unmet need for gender affirmation may inhibit ART adherence, highlighting opportunities to mitigate care interruptions in alignment with community needs and goals.

A Gap Between Willingness and Uptake: Findings From Mixed Methods Research on HIV Prevention Among Black and Latina Transgender Women.

BACKGROUND: Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW) face significant HIV disparities with estimated HIV prevalence up to 50% and annual incidence rates as high as 2.8 per 100 person-years. However, few studies have evaluated the acceptability and uptake of high-impact HIV prevention interventions among BLTW. SETTING: Data collection took place in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC from May 2015 to May 2017. METHODS: This mixed methods study included quantitative interviewer-administered surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Rapid HIV testing followed each survey. Logistic regression models tested associations between legal gender affirmation (ie, desired name and gender marker on identity documents), transgender pride, history of exchange sex, HIV risk perception, and willingness to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Transcripts of qualitative data were coded to identify common themes related to engagement in HIV prevention. RESULTS: Among 201 BLTW, 56% tested HIV-positive and 87% had heard of PrEP. Only 18% who had heard of PrEP had ever taken it. Of the 72 self-reported HIV-negative or status-unknown BLTW who had never taken PrEP, 75% were willing to take it. In multivariable analyses, history of exchange sex was associated with willingness to take PrEP, whereas greater HIV knowledge and transgender pride were associated with lower likelihood of willingness to take PrEP. Concern about drug interactions with hormone therapy was the most frequently reported barrier to PrEP uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Noting the disconnect between PrEP willingness and uptake among BLTW, HIV prevention programs could bridge this gap by responding to identified access barriers and incorporating community-derived strategies.

Immigration Legal Services as a Structural HIV Intervention for Latinx Sexual and Gender Minorities.

Lack of legal immigration status is associated with poor HIV-related outcomes for immigrant Latinx sexual and gender minorities (LSGM). LSGM often meet eligibility criteria for legal immigration relief. A Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) may thus be strategic to improve their health. We know little about the challenges LSGM face during the immigration legal process. We conducted in-depth interviews with six key informants and sixteen LSGM who recently applied for immigration legal relief. We coded and analyzed the data for emergent themes. Challenges to instituting an MLP for LSGM included lack of specialized training on working with SGM for immigration attorneys, and for clients: knowledge about legal deadlines, lack of housing and family support, and re-traumatizing experiences. Clients' outcomes were positive when attorneys and mental health providers collaborated. For LSGM, the benefits of immigration relief included reduced HIV risk. An MLP that addresses the surmountable challenges could improve HIV-related outcomes among LSGM.

Microfinance and health interventions: Factors influencing loan repayment success with young men in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Poverty is associated with numerous poor health outcomes. Youth unemployment in Tanzania is approximately 13.7%, and concentrates in urban areas. These youth lack relevant job skills and access to financial capital. Microfinance continues to be implemented globally to address poverty, and increasingly has been linked to health interventions. Men less frequently are recipients of microfinance loans. We offered microcredit to young men in an area of Dar es Salaam with high poverty as part of a randomised controlled-trial to assess the efficacy of a microfinance and health leadership intervention in preventing STI acquisition. We used mixed methods to understand predictors of successful loan repayment. Our qualitative sub-study showed that leader influence, prior business experience, personal motivation, and planning facilitated repayment. Using a modified Poisson approach, our quantitative analysis showed that successful repayment was associated with business experience, education, increasing number of children, community of residence, percentage of network members trained in business, and repayment success of peer leaders. Our results suggest that enforcing group accountability and repayment rules, offering ongoing training, and using successful entrepreneurs as role models could increase repayment success in similar populations. These strategies could provide financial opportunity for men while minimising risk for microfinance institutions.