Abstract

HIV continues to be a significant health challenge in the United States, disproportionately affecting Black/African American (B/AA) and Hispanic/ Latino (H/L) Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention pharmaceutical strategy, but its uptake among these populations has been suboptimal. Peer-Driven Interventions (PDIs) have demonstrated promise in increasing HIV prevention engagement, including PrEP services. This paper shares insights from a study aimed at promoting PrEP uptake among MSM using a PDI approach. The study recruited 39 peer educators through clinical outreach, LGBTQ+ community organizations and local nightlife venues, email outreach and collaboration with Community Health Workers (CHWs). Despite moderate success in peer educator recruitment, challenges arose in motivating peer educators to refer social network members for PrEP counseling sessions with our study team. Factors such as low referral incentives, time constraints, and lack of consistent engagement were identified as barriers. To address these challenges, future PDIs may benefit from integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools to extend outreach and support both peer educators and their social networks. Additionally, hiring part-time peer educators and providing them with more in-depth training could improve recruitment and retention. The authors also emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to promoting PrEP uptake, combining peer support with professional services and care to improve PrEP outcomes, such as long-term adherence. These findings highlight the need for innovative solutions to optimize HIV prevention efforts in disproportionately affected populations.