Project Title: Sociological Differences in HIV Susceptibility Among Minority Youth
BASIS Advisor: Ms. Wallace
Internship Location: New York University
Despite the recent scientific advancements made towards HIV prevention and treatment, concerning statistics still exist within certain populations. Twenty-one percent of all new HIV diagnoses were made up of youth (13 –24 years) in the US, and 81% of those diagnoses occurred in Black and Latino/a populations. While many studies have made efforts to address the risk factors of HIV infection among this particular population, there has been a lack of sufficient research addressing the specific risks that individuals under 18 within this demographic face, thus presenting a research gap. This project aims to analyze the sociological susceptibilities young minorities have toward contracting HIV, evaluating their risks not only through race and age, but economic status, and educational status. Working with Project YESS (Youth Engaging in Healthy and Safe Sex), we will analyze participants’ responses from surveys, interviews, and focus groups are analyzed in order to identify key trends regarding their sexual history. Additionally, we will conduct an analysis of similar studies in order to fully understand the sociological risks and reproductive histories young minorities have. As Project YESS is one of the few studies that centers on health promotion and disease prevention in communities of color while also recruiting minors (16 –24 years), this project looks to bridge the current research gap by incorporating the narratives of minors and normalizing the importance of sexual health among minorities under 18. Lastly, this project intends to explore potential solutions to help work towards a culturally tailored, accessible, and effective HIV intervention program.
My Posts
Conclusion
Jun 21, 2019
After finishing working with Project YESS at NYU Rory Meyers for 11 weeks and presenting my findings to my peers and teachers, I am now in the process of finalizing my senior project with BASIS Independent Brooklyn. While working off-site, I was able to improve my independent research skills as a student during my time […]
Week 11: Last Week
Jun 21, 2019
Although I intend to rejoin Project YESS sometime in the summer, this was my last week working at Project YESS for my senior project. On Monday, we were welcoming a new wave of interns to the Project YESS staff to work at over the summer. I spent most of my day attending conferences with the […]
Week 10: More Locations and Lit Reviews
Jun 08, 2019
Due to Memorial Day, my advisor in addition to project staff members were out of the office for the week. Therefore, I was assigned to work from home per instructions from the PI of Project YESS. A colleague had identified that a new wave of summer events had been added into locations in Harlem and […]
Week 9: First Pilot Test Couple
May 28, 2019
This past week has been mostly dedicated to preparing our recruited participants for the Phase 2 Pilot Test. Participants are usually required to complete 3 surveys in a span of 6 months: a baseline survey, a survey 3 months after the baseline survey , and lastly a survey 6 months after the baseline survey. However, […]
Week 8: Surveys and Shortcomings
May 23, 2019
Since Project YESS is so close to starting Phase 2, my work this week primarily focused on the survey: On Monday, I worked with my advisor to implement the changes in the phase 2 survey that were approved by the PI last week when we were presenting them to her in efforts of lowering the […]
Week 7: Pilot Tests
May 13, 2019
When I arrived at Rory Meyers on Monday, my advisor notified me that she would be arriving a little later than usual as she was busy conducting the very first pilot test for our Phase 2 recruitment process! By recruiting a few participants, the pilot test was meant to assess the mechanics/formatting of the Project […]
Week 6: Conferences with the Crew
May 06, 2019
Most of this week consisted of conferences with the PI and some project staff members. Starting Monday I was assigned by my project advisor to station myself at the NYU Langone Radiology Center just a short walk away from where I normally work to attend a group conference covering the protocol for Phase 2 recruitment, […]
Week 5: Surveys, Stats, and Sites
Apr 29, 2019
I was notified by my advisor that the PI of Project YESS will be out this week once again to give a series of presentations about the project to research centers at Columbia University starting Wednesday. In preparation for the presentation I was asked to insert a few additional pieces of information, statistics in particular. […]
Week 4: Practice til’ Perfection
Apr 22, 2019
On Monday, I checked in with my advisor and was informed that the estimated start date of Phase 2 recruitment would begin in mid-May. With that, project staff and I had to make sure that we knew every potential location in underfunded New York communities, and our marked areas of study (South Bronx and Upper […]
Week 3: Science and Surveys
Apr 16, 2019
When I arrived to start my third week off campus, my advisor informed me that project staff is currently undergoing the finalization of the Phase 2 surveys that will be electronically administered to our pool of participants once recruitment begins, only after a few minor tweaks in the questions are done. One aspect of the […]
Week 2: Baby Steps Toward Phase 2
Apr 08, 2019
Shortly after my arrival to NYU Rory Meyers on Monday, my advisor was able to joyfully inform me that the International Research Board (IRB) approved another large series of documents from our study, meaning that we are making great progress in preparation for our second round of participant recruitment. I was assigned to look through […]
Week 1: A Start to Something Big
Mar 30, 2019
Hello everybody, It was very exciting to return to NYU Rory Meyers once again this past week after interning there over the summer and talk with some of the project staff. I was able to meet with my project advisor and catch up on the outstanding progress the study has made since I was gone […]
Introduction
Mar 17, 2019
Hello, my name is Ryah A., For my Senior Project, I am going analyze the sociological susceptibilities young minorities have toward HIV infection, particularly Black and Latino/a youth. The sociological risks that my project will be evaluating include race, age, economic status, educational status, and more. During my time spent off school campus, I will […]