
Cherrie B. BoyerUniversity of California, San Francisco | UCSF · Department of Pediatrics
Cherrie B. Boyer
Doctor of Philosophy
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Publications (138)
Youth are disproportionately affected by substance use and associated sexual risk behaviors, increasing STI and HIV susceptibility. This study analyzed the interplay between alcohol/drug use before sex (ABS/DBS), perceived sex approval (e.g., perceived familial or peer approval in engaging in sex), and HIV/STI risk perception among youth aged 13–21...
BACKGROUND
HIV/STI remain significant public health concerns in the United States and adolescents are disproportionately affected. Adolescents engage in HIV/STI risk behaviors, including drug use and condomless sex, which increases risk for HIV/STI infection. At-risk adolescents, many of whom are racial minorities, experience HIV/STI disparities. D...
Background
HIV or sexually transmitted infections remain a significant public health concern in the United States, with adolescents affected disproportionately. Adolescents engage in HIV/STI risk behaviors, including drug use and condomless sex, which increase the risk for HIV/STIs. At-risk adolescents, many of whom are racial minorities, experienc...
Purpose:
Emergency contraception (EC), the 'last chance' contraceptive method, has gained significance post-Roe, but most young people do not know their options.
Methods:
We conducted an educational intervention on EC among 1,053 students aged 18-25 years. We assessed changes in knowledge of key aspects of EC using generalized estimating equatio...
Purpose
The aim of this study is to compare substance use and school-based stressors among Black and Latinx transgender youth (trans BLY), White transgender youth (trans WY), and Black and Latinx cisgender youth (cis BLY) and identify associations between substance use and stressors among trans BLY.
Methods
We analyzed 2015–2017 Biennial Californi...
To address the ongoing epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) conducted a consensus study on STI control and prevention in the United States to provide recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Nationa...
Importance
Black and Latinx transgender youth experience stigma that may increase their susceptibility to mental health symptoms.
Objective
To compare past-year mental health symptoms and psychosocial factors among Black and Latinx transgender youth, White transgender youth, and Black and Latinx cisgender youth.
Design, Setting, and Participants...
Introduction:
Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are higher among U.S. military personnel than their civilian counterparts. Yet there is a paucity of military-specific research that has utilized theoretical frameworks to describe the relative influence of the multiple and interrelated risk factors associated with STIs in this populati...
In the United States, youth aged 13-24 comprised approximately 21% of new HIV infections in 2017; 13% of these infections occurred among women, the majority of whom (86%) acquired HIV through heterosexual contact (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019a. HIV and youth. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/age/youth/index.html, Cen...
Background
Drug abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), remain significant public health concerns in the United States. Youth are at disproportionate risk of drug use and STIs/HIV, yet interventions aimed at improving STI and HIV testing and reducing STI/HIV risk behaviors through technolo...
Using an ecological perspective, we sought to elucidate the perceived barriers preventing HIV service access among two groups of U.S. youth (ages 12–24) disproportionately affected by HIV, men who have sex with men, and high-risk women. We content analyzed interviews with 318 key informants to identify distinct service access barriers. The 29 barri...
We proposed a multilevel model of structural influences on HIV-risky sexual partnerships in a diverse sample of 1793 youth residing in 23 states and the District of Columbia. We examined the influence of concentrated disadvantage, HIV stigma, and sexual and gender minority stigma on engagement in HIV risky sexual partnerships and whether youth’s pa...
Background:
Despite the large body of extant literature on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), more research on social and environmental contextual factors is needed. Also, further examination of STI indicators by gender remains a critical area of research focus.
Methods:
Anonymous survey data were coll...
Purpose:
Linkage of HIV-negative youth to prevention services is increasingly important with the development of effective pre-exposure prophylaxis that complements behavioral and other prevention-focused interventions. However, effective infrastructure for delivery of prevention services does not exist, leaving many programs to address HIV prevent...
We assessed the relationships among HIV-related social and behavioral outcomes resulting from an adolescent-focused HIV structural change initiative in eight urban sites operating Connect-to-Protect coalitions. Over a 4-year period, annual cross-sectional panels of adolescents (N = 2248) completed an audio-computer-assisted interview, providing dat...
Adolescence and young adulthood, a period essential for determining exposures over the life-course, is an ideal time to intervene to lower cancer risk. This demographic group can be viewed as both the target audience and generator of messages for cancer prevention, such as skin cancer, obesity-, tobacco-, and human papillomavirus−related cancers. T...
Highlights
Coalition mobilization can contribute to the creation of AIDS‐competent communities.
HIV coalitions benefit from leaders who can confront political opposition to structural changes.
Coalitions can contribute to addressing the structural factors that promote HIV‐risk among youth.
Venue-based strategies offer effective means of targeting men who have sex with men. Few studies have sought to focus on where younger men congregate and understand risk behaviors that may occur at lower (i.e., community centers) versus higher risk venues. Data from 1,311 young men who have sex with men (YMSM) aged 12- to 24-years-old recruited fro...
Importance:
Most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected youths are unaware of their serostatus (approximately 60%) and therefore not linked to HIV medical or prevention services. The need to identify promising and scalable approaches to promote uptake of HIV testing among youths at risk is critical.
Objective:
To evaluate a multisite HIV te...
The goal of this research was to examine associations among sociodemographic factors, HIV risk, and community context (e.g., economic insecurity, job training, housing instability, crime victimization, and perceived community norms) in adolescents and young adults who ever exchanged sex for drugs or money. Anonymous survey data were collected using...
Few studies have examined sexual partnerships and HIV risk in diverse samples of African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino adolescent and young adult men who have sex with men (YMSM), a group that have a high burden of HIV in the United States. A community?venue recruitment approach was used, which identified significant differences in HIV risk by...
Routine HIV screening, linkage, and retention in health care are nodes of the HIV continuum of care and goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. However, up to 80% of youth are unaware of their HIV status, 29% are linked to and less than 50% are engaged in HIV health care, and fewer maintain viral suppression. To fill these gaps and to address the...
Reducing HIV incidence among adolescents represents an urgent global priority. Structural change approaches to HIV prevention may reduce youth risk by addressing the economic, social, cultural, and political factors that elevate it. We assessed whether achievement of structural changes made by eight Connect-to-Protect (C2P) coalitions were associat...
College students represent an important population for studying and understanding factors that influence sexual risk given the populations' high risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Using a quasi-experimental design, the efficacy of a brief and theory-driven mobile application intervention designed to decrease sexual...
This year, adolescent pregnancy rates in the United States reached historic lows.¹ Similarly, the percentage of youths 12 to 17 years of age with severe mental health impairments decreased by 20% since the late 1990s.² Death rates among 15- to 24-year-olds have also declined steadily since 1999 (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pd...
To address the persistent HIV epidemic in the United States, prevention efforts are focusing on social determinants related to HIV risk by targeting systems and structures, such as organizational and institutional policies, practices and programs, and legislative and regulatory approaches to modify features of the environment that influence HIV ris...
Public health HIV prevention efforts have begun to focus on addressing social and structural factors contributing to HIV risk, such as unstable housing, unemployment, and access to health care. With a limited body of evidence-based structural interventions for HIV, communities tasked with developing structural changes need a defined process to clar...
To examine the HIV risk behaviours of men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW), aged 12-24 years, in five US cities and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Data were collected through four annual cross-sectional anonymous surveys at community venues and included questions about sexual partnerships, sexual practices...
With the emphasis on structural-level interventions that target social determinants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission to curb the HIV epidemic, there is a need to develop evaluation models that can detect changes in individual factors associated with HIV-related structural changes.
To describe whether structural changes developed a...
We conducted an interpretive description of co-parenting relationship experiences of romantically involved Black adolescent mothers and fathers with shared biological children. The study was conducted in Brooklyn, New York, using data from individual in-depth interviews with adolescent mothers and fathers (n = 10). Four themes were identified: (a)...
Purpose
Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults are disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic; yet little is known about the best strategies to increase HIV testing in this group. Network-based approaches are feasible and acceptable means for screening at-risk adults for HIV infection, but it is unknown whether these approaches are...
Leadership development is a core value of Maternal Child Health Bureau training programs. Mentorship, an MCH Leadership Competency, has been shown to positively affect career advancement and research productivity. Improving mentorship opportunities for junior faculty and trainees may increase pursuit of careers in areas such as adolescent health re...
The purpose of this study was to provide formative data on the sexual behaviors of emerging adult Black men who attended a historically Black college/university. A convenience sample of 19 participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. This study utilized a phenomenological qualitative approach to explore the ro...
Research on the relationship between sexual risk behavior and perceived risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) has yielded mixed results. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent to which 3 measures of perceived risk accurately reflect 5 sexual risk behaviors in a sample of healthy, sexually active young adult w...
This article describes psychosocial outcomes of a group randomized controlled trial of a friendship-based HIV/STI prevention intervention grounded in the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM). A total of 264 African American adolescent females were randomized to a single-session Project ÒRÉ HIV/STI prevention intervention or a nutrition/exercise health...
Objectives To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a friendship-based network recruitment strategy for identifying undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection within young women's same-sex friendship networks and to determine factors that facilitated and hindered index recruiters (IRs) in recruiting female friendship network me...
We examined the feasibility and acceptability of an HIV prevention intervention for African American adolescents delivered via mobile cell phones and looked at intervention-related changes in beliefs and sexual behaviors. We used a longitudinal one-group comparison design with data collected at three points. Forty adolescents, 13-18 years old, part...
This article presents findings from a qualitative evaluation of an HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention intervention for urban African American youth (Project ORE), which was delivered to groups of 3 to 8 adolescents who were members of the same friendship network. Sixteen focus groups (N = 63) were conducted with youth following the...
There is a dearth of research regarding the influence of family members on adolescent dating. This study explored messages that African American adolescents received from family members regarding dating attitudes, norms and behaviors. Qualitative interviews were conducted with sexually experienced urban African American heterosexual adolescents (N...
This qualitative study examined sexual health information networks among urban African American youth living in low-income communities. The authors identified sources, message content, and utility of messages about sex and sexual health in a sample of 15-17-year olds (N = 81). Youth received sexual health information from a variety of sources. Mess...
Adolescents often engage in concurrent sexual partnerships as part of a developmental process of gaining experience with sexuality. The authors qualitatively examined patterns of concurrency and variation in normative and motivational influences on this pattern of sexual partnering among African American adolescents (31 males; 20 females), ages 15...
Sexual debut represents a developmental transition that holds possibility for growth and for risk. Family and neighborhood may impact timing of debut. This qualitative study examined family strategies (e.g., moving, parental monitoring), perceptions of neighborhood, and attitudes about sex and sexual debut among sexually experienced and inexperienc...
Background: Sexual health information is available from a variety of sources, including the Internet. Little is known about the extent to which poor urban African American youth use the Internet for sexual health information and integrate this into information from other sources.
Methods: We obtained a purposive sample of sexually active African...
Since adolescents often live with and are influenced by family members, it is critical to understand the role that family members play in shaping sexual and reproductive risk and health behaviors. This study examined the range of messages that sexually active adolescents receive from multiple family members regarding sexual/reproductive behaviors a...
To assess contraceptive discontinuation, switching, factors associated with method discontinuation, and pregnancy among women initiating hormonal contraceptives.
This was a 12-month longitudinal cohort study of adolescent girls and women (n=1,387) aged 15 to 24 years attending public family planning clinics who did not desire pregnancy for at least...
The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility of conducting a parent-based intervention in a pediatric health clinic to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies among urban African American and Latino youth. Eight focus groups were conducted with health care providers, adolescent patients and...
Much attention has been focused on efforts to reduce unintended pregnancy by improving contraceptive use among high-risk women; however, there is limited information to guide interventions to engage young men in contraceptive decision-making. We conducted focus groups of young men, aged 19-26, from diverse racial backgrounds from low-income communi...
The vaginal ring and the transdermal patch offer important contraceptive options for women at high risk for unintended pregnancy. Little is known about what adolescents and young women think about these methods and why use of the ring has been relatively low compared with the patch. We sought to examine young women's attitudes and perceptions about...
Many adolescent health problems are predominantly caused by risk behavior. Foster adolescents have disproportionately poor health; therefore, identification of risk behavior is critical.
Data from a larger study were analyzed to investigate the health risk behavior of 56 youth in foster care using the Child Health and Illness Profile-Adolescent Edi...
There is an urgent need for continued innovation in the design of HIV/STI prevention interventions for African American females, a group at high risk for STIs and HIV. In particular, attention to social development and to culture is needed. The present study reports on a group randomized controlled trial of a friendship-based HIV/STI prevention int...
The study seeks to identify demographic and health-related predictors of attrition among female Marine Corps recruits.
Data are from a longitudinal study of female recruits entering the Marine Corps between June 1999 and June 2000 (N = 2,157). Measures come from tracking data and a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire.
During recruit tr...
Health damaging behaviors of young military personnel are reflections of health problems facing all young people in the U.S. Military life presents opportunities and challenges that may both protect and place young troops at risk for health damaging behaviors. Challenges for maintaining a healthy armed force include high rates of sexually transmitt...
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors and constructs derived from the Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills (IMB) model on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a composite STI risk score in female Marine Corps recruits.
Data were collected in 1999 to 2000 through self-administered questionnai...
This study presents preliminary findings of a brief friendship-based HIV/STI prevention intervention for urban African American youth. Using a no-control design, we found that the program is feasible, acceptable, and demonstrates promise with regard to changes in HIV/STI-related knowledge, beliefs, social norms, and behavior.
We developed and evaluated a military-focused HIV prevention intervention to enhance HIV risk-reduction knowledge, motivation, and behaviors among Angolan soldiers. Twelve bases were randomly assigned to HIV prevention or control conditions, yielding 568 participants. HIV prevention participants received training in preventing HIV (4.5 days) and ma...
To define the acquisition rate of Chlamydia trachomatis among a cohort of young, nonhealth-care seeking, sexually active women with well-defined exposure periods over a 12-month period.
The long-term goal is to inform public health practitioners and young women of the risk of reinfection with C. trachomatis and the need for frequent active screenin...
To examine factors associated with weight dissatisfaction, a risk factor for eating disorders, among female Marine recruits.
A diverse adolescent/young adult sample of 2157 female recruits completed a questionnaire upon entering Marine Corps training. Weight dissatisfaction was the main variable of interest.
Body mass index (BMI), disordered eating...
With the advent of highly effective antiretroviral therapies, case-finding for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is critically important, especially among high-risk youth. Our study found a significant increase in participation in voluntary HIV counseling and testing services immediately after implementation of a brief sexually transmitted infecti...
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Youth United Through Health Education (YUTHE) program, a community-level, peer-led outreach program to increase awareness and improve noninvasive sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in youth residing in the targeted community.
Sexually experienced youth, aged 12-22 years, anonymously participated in t...
To prospectively study the relationship between diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at entry to U.S. Marines recruit training and subsequent sexual behaviors during vacation.
Of all women entering recruit training (June 1999-June 2000), 2,157 (94%) voluntarily enrolled. At baseline, women received universal screening for Chlamydia t...
To determine association between acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) over a nine-month period among sexually experienced adolescents attending an urban, general HMO teen clinic and African American race, use of marijuana more than once or twice a week, and having had relationships with a sexual partner who is more than four years...
We examined sociodemographic markers and 3-month behavioral correlates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a nonclinical cross-section of adolescent and young adult women.
All women (N=2288) enrolled in recruit training for the US Marine Corps during a 1-year period were asked to voluntarily participate in either a cognitive-behavioral, sk...
The relationships between measures of social support, demographic and situational factors, and regimen compliance were examined among 60 in-center hemodialysis patients. Data were obtained from structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and information from the medical records of each patient. Correlational analyses indicate that social sup...
The early detection and treatment of STDs is an effective strategy for slowing the sexual transmission of HIV. The goal of the YUTHE (Youth United Through Health Education) program, a collaborative effort between the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and the University of California, San Francisco, is to increase sexually transmitte...
The goal was the development of culturally sensitive, evidence-based recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention for Angolan soldiers.
Eight focus groups (N = 68) were conducted with Angolan soldiers in 2002. Qualitative data were analyzed for soldiers' HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs)-related knowledge and behaviors...
Few cognitive-behavioral interventions have focused on preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies (UPs) in young, sexually active women in a single study. Military recruit training provides a well-defined, national, nonclinic sample in which to evaluate such an intervention.
All female Marine recruits (N=2,288) in...
Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-related knowledge and behaviors were assessed in face-to-face structured interviews with 314 Ethiopian military personnel. A significant finding of this research was the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risky