Document is current

Article History

Received: 8 March 2022

Accepted: 30 November 2022

First Online: 7 December 2022

Declarations

:

: The University of Memphis and Meharry Medical College Institutional Review Boards approved the research (Protocol # PRO-FY2017-528 and #16–08-593). We obtained verbal informed consent from participants at least 15 years of age prior to conducting focus groups. All IRBs determined if written consent was obtained, this would be the only document linking the participant to the focus group discussion. The participants were given the informed consent document to read along with the focus group moderator and provided an opportunity to ask the moderator questions. Following questions and clarifications, the participant proceeded with participating in the discussion. A copy of the consent form was given to the participants for reference. The principal risk of a signed consent document would be the potential harm resulting from a breach of confidentiality. Therefore, we did not obtain written informed consent to maintain the anonymity of participants. Tennessee Department of Health approved the protocol for PrEP navigators to recruit persons 15–18 into Project PrIDE without parental consent for the purpose of referring them for PrEP due to the public health epidemic of HIV among young Black men who have sex with men. This determination is supported by the “mature minor” doctrine in Tennessee permitting healthcare providers to treat certain minors without parental consent. [Citation: ] The Tennessee Law “<i>Minors’ Access to STI and HIV Testing and Treatment</i>” governs the rights of minors to consent to testing and/or treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. [Citation: ] Consent to participate was not obtained from the parents/guardians of minors included in this study, as informed by the TN mature minor doctrine which guided IRB review/approval. Emancipated minors were not included.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.