Constructing a web-based health directory for adolescent men who have sex with men: Strategies for development and resource verification

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ryan Drab, University of Pennsylvania; James R Wolfe, University of Pennsylvania; Tanaka Chavanduka, University of Michigan; Erin E Bonar, University of Michigan; Jodie Guest, Emory University; Lisa Hightow-Weidman, University of North Carolina; Amanda D Castel, George Washington University; Keith J Horvath, San Diego State University; Patrick Sullivan, Emory University; Robert Stephenson, Emory University; José Bauermeister, University of Pennsylvania
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-10-29
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22738
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 1597
• End Page: 1615
• Grant/Funding Information: The work described herein was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (MD011274). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: HIV prevention; Psychology; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; CLINICS; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; YOUNG MEN; Science & Technology; HIV; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; RESILIENCE; DISPARITIES; GAY; INTERVENTIONS; community-based resources; Social Work; service directory; LGBTQ plus youth; RISK BEHAVIOR; Social Sciences; YOUTH; SERVICES

Abstract

Online health directories are increasingly used to locate health services and community resources, providing contact and service information that assists users in identifying resources that may meet their health and wellness needs. However, service locations require additional vetting when directories plan to refer vulnerable populations. As a tool included as part of a trial of a mobile life skills intervention for cisgender adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM; ages 13–18), we constructed and verified resources for an online resource directory focused on linking young people to LGBTQ+ friendly and affirming local health and community social services resources. We collected information for 2301 individual directory listings through database and internet searches. To ensure the listings aligned with the project's focus of supporting young sexual minority men, we developed multiple data verification assessments to ensure community appropriateness resulting in verification of 1833 resources suitable for inclusion in our locator tool at project launch (March 2018). We offer lessons learned and future directions for researchers and practitioners who may benefit from adapting our processes and strategies for building culturally-tailored resource directories for vulnerable populations.