Theoretical Strategies to Engage the Community
As mentioned earlier an important component of the MP is the inclusion of community engagement. The reason this is significant results from the fact that gay-positive communities can have an immeasurable impact on both behavior and new incidences of HIV among MSM/YMSM. For example, MSM/YMSM who reside in gay-positive/friendly environments avert the adverse effects associated with stereotyping and discrimination. As such, MSM/YMSM don't feel the need to mask their sexual orientation, which in and of itself can place individuals on a path of high-risk sexual behavior. Thus, the “goal of the program is to create a stronger and healthier young gay men’s community in which safer sex becomes the mutually …show more content…
However, the MP looks to draw MSM/YMSM away from such environments by affording safe alternatives that are attractive, welcoming, interactive, and fun. Hence, the importance of community engagement. Figuratively speaking, the MP implements and uses the HBM in the community given it recognizes how communities act towards MSM in general directly impacts how MSM/YMSM perceive the threat of their community.
Therefore, the MP adopts the ecological perspective in which to engage the community using both informal and formal outreach techniques. Simons-Morton, McLeroy, and Wendel, (2012), state
Behavior is viewed not just as the result of knowledge, values, and attitudes of individuals but as the result of a host of social influences, including the people with whom we associate, the organizations to which we belong, and the communities in which we live. (p. …show more content…
Because the program is adaptive to time, place, race, ethnicity, age, and need it affords an ease of adjustment that best addresses the important social and behavioral factors within and between the community and MSM/YMSM. For example, alcohol consumption among MSM/YMSM may be a social and behavioral factor in one community, whereas, in another, they face an intravenous drug use issue. Therefore, the program must adapt to these differences or valuable resources are lost. The fact that the MP continues to prove beneficial in reducing new HIV incidences among MSM/YMSM speaks volumes about the program's ability to not negate vital factors (Kegeles et al.,
As mentioned earlier an important component of the MP is the inclusion of community engagement. The reason this is significant results from the fact that gay-positive communities can have an immeasurable impact on both behavior and new incidences of HIV among MSM/YMSM. For example, MSM/YMSM who reside in gay-positive/friendly environments avert the adverse effects associated with stereotyping and discrimination. As such, MSM/YMSM don't feel the need to mask their sexual orientation, which in and of itself can place individuals on a path of high-risk sexual behavior. Thus, the “goal of the program is to create a stronger and healthier young gay men’s community in which safer sex becomes the mutually …show more content…
However, the MP looks to draw MSM/YMSM away from such environments by affording safe alternatives that are attractive, welcoming, interactive, and fun. Hence, the importance of community engagement. Figuratively speaking, the MP implements and uses the HBM in the community given it recognizes how communities act towards MSM in general directly impacts how MSM/YMSM perceive the threat of their community.
Therefore, the MP adopts the ecological perspective in which to engage the community using both informal and formal outreach techniques. Simons-Morton, McLeroy, and Wendel, (2012), state
Behavior is viewed not just as the result of knowledge, values, and attitudes of individuals but as the result of a host of social influences, including the people with whom we associate, the organizations to which we belong, and the communities in which we live. (p. …show more content…
Because the program is adaptive to time, place, race, ethnicity, age, and need it affords an ease of adjustment that best addresses the important social and behavioral factors within and between the community and MSM/YMSM. For example, alcohol consumption among MSM/YMSM may be a social and behavioral factor in one community, whereas, in another, they face an intravenous drug use issue. Therefore, the program must adapt to these differences or valuable resources are lost. The fact that the MP continues to prove beneficial in reducing new HIV incidences among MSM/YMSM speaks volumes about the program's ability to not negate vital factors (Kegeles et al.,