# Training in Behavioral Design Interventions to Address Stigma among Men Who have Sex with Men

> **NIH NIH F32** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $77,908

## Abstract

In Malaysia, there is a concentrated HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the
incidence and mortality rates are increasing, which is not the case globally. Stigma towards MSM is widespread
and impedes HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Rapid Start ART (RS-ART) is an evidence-based practice that
WHO, IAS, and Malaysia's Ministry of Health endorse, but it has not been studied in MSM. This grant proposal
is a comprehensive fellowship training program focused on HIV prevention and stigma reduction, particularly
among MSM. The fellowship, underpinned by the applicant's background in public health and biostatistics, aims
to develop and implement RS-ART as an innovative Behavioral Design Interventions (BDIs) for effective stigma
reduction.
 Central to this are three specific aims: Firstly, the identification of facilitators and barriers to the
implementation of BDIs targeting HIV prevention among MSM using asynchronous online focus groups. The
findings of this aim will be used to tailor an existing RS-ART protocol to MSM in particular. Secondly, the project
with facilitate the introduction of RS-ART, an approach informed through training in NIATx implementation
facilitation. Lastly, the program focuses on advancing dyadic analysis techniques to better understand the
relational dynamics between healthcare providers and patients, aiming to reduce stigma and improve health
outcomes.
 The fellowship's training component is multidisciplinary, encompassing stigma, implementation science
including NIATx, and dyadic analysis. Planned activities include coursework, mentorship, and hands-on research,
with a substantial component conducted in Malaysia, providing a unique international perspective and practical
experience in diverse healthcare settings.
 This fellowship represents a critical step in the applicant's career trajectory towards becoming an
independent researcher, with long-term goals centered on the development and implementation of high-
impact stigma-reduction interventions for marginalized groups. The training and research conducted during this
fellowship will contribute significantly to the fields of HIV prevention, stigma reduction, and public health
implementation science, with a focus on addressing health disparities in low-income and marginalized
communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11009322
- **Project number:** 1F32MH138253-01
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel J Bromberg
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $77,908
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2025-02-08 → 2028-02-07

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11009322

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11009322, Training in Behavioral Design Interventions to Address Stigma among Men Who have Sex with Men (1F32MH138253-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-27 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/11009322. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*