76. What Do Black and Latino Teen Men Who Have Sex With Men Have to Say About HIV Prevention Services in Their Schools and Community?

Purpose: To gather formative information for an HIV prevention project for Black and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 13-19 being implemented in New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Program activities will involve schools, schoolbased health centers (SBHCs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and local health departments in reaching Black and Latino teen YMSM. The study focuses on factors associated with YMSM accessing HIV services and their perceptions of the school environment, school staff and school-based health services. Methods:With support from ICF International and CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, community-based organizations (CBOs) in the three cities screened and recruited Black and Latino YMSM ages 13-19with the goal of completing 600 anonymousWebbased surveys and 30 confidential interviews. To date, about half of the surveys (N 297) and all the interviews (N 32) have been completed. Results: These preliminary results focus on the survey data collected. The mean age of respondents is 17 years old; 40% are Hispanic, 50% are non-Hispanic, Black, and 12% are multiracial (including Hispanic and non-Hispanic). Seventy-four percent were tested for HIV in the past year and of those 17% reported they were tested at school or at a clinic at school. Sixty-eight percent were tested for an STD in the past year and of those, 23% reported they were tested at school or at a clinic at school. Two-thirds would use HIV/STD testing services if they were offered at school and 89% reported that they would access free condoms if they were offered at school. However, 29% felt unsafe at school and those who felt unsafe, 49% missed school for this reason. When asked who at school (youth could select multiple persons) they would talk to about feeling unsafe, 50% said a teacher, 46% said a school counselor, and 8% said a school nurse. When asked who at school (youth could select multiple persons) they thought were safe to talk to about being attracted to other guys, 50% said a school counselor, 35% said a teacher, and 12% said a school nurse. Conclusions: Based on preliminary survey results, many teen YMSM youth accessing CBO services have been tested for an HIV and other STDs in the past year andmost indicated they would get tested for HIV/STDs at school if it was offered. However, about one-third of youth felt unsafe at school and few of the youth felt comfortable talking to school nurses about feeling unsafe or being attracted to other men. Increased understanding about how these issues might influence YMSM’s use of HIV/STD related services in schools is needed andwill be investigated through analysis of the full sample of surveys and interviews. Professional development for school personnel about creating a safe environment, talking to youth about sexuality, and referral of youth to community-based services may be an important activity for implementing school-centered HIV prevention. Sources of Support: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 77.