68 - Is RDS for YMSM?: Successful Enhancements to Respondent Driven Sampling Methods for Recruiting 15 to 18 Year Old Participants in Philadelphia

Abstract

Purpose: Identifying and engaging YMSM in various settings in order to enroll them in a study involving an HIV test. Historically, YMSM, especially under the age of 18, can be difficult to reach in Philadelphia as there are limited venues for them to congregate safely in addition to the presence of stigma in communities of color discouraging youth from openly expressing their identities. Identifying other methods to engage these youth in prevention and research is crucial to informing HIV prevention activities. This presentation will describe implementation and outcomes of RDS enhancements that were implemented to reach recruitment goals.