Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Service Provider Perceptions Of Treatment Barriers Facing Black, Non-Gay-Identified Msmw, Bradley Forenza, Ellen Benoit

Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Non-gay-identified men who have sex with men and women and who use alcohol and other drugs are a vulnerable population. Little is known about health and medical service provider interaction with these underserved clients. This article presents a thematic analysis of two focus groups undertaken with social and medical service providers regarding the needs of non-gay-identified men who have sex with men and women. Four emergent themes (labeling, constructions of masculinity, HIV/AIDS awareness, and treatment success) illustrate perceived barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, as well as treatment success. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.