Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of MSM on the cardiometabolic syndrome-COVID-19 syndemic

Our knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors all play a significant role in our overall health and wellbeing. Recently, scientists have recognized that what we think and how we act towards cardiovascular disease can overlap with how we approach the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Gaining a better understanding of these overlapping viewpoints can help scientists and medical professionals prevent the spread of both of these diseases. However, as scientists, we do not have a clear understanding of these overlapping viewpoints among Latino men who have sex with men.

We expect that you will be in this research study for about 120 minutes (2 hours). The first hour, you will be asked to complete an online page Confidential Intake Form, and then participate in a brief cardiovascular health protocol in which one member of our study staff will record your height, weight, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation level using standard and non-invasive protocols. Optionally, you can also have your blood analyzed on the spot for some markers of your heart health (such as cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin A1c). The second hour, you will participate in a 60-minute Focus Group, which is a conversation with a group of about ten Latino men who have sex with men to discuss your perspectives and understanding about cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 during that hour. This will be your only contact point with this investigation.