The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63861

Britt Kirsten Rios-Ellis, PhD¹, Rocio Leon, BS², Carlos Ugarte, MSPH², Elizabeth Francine Trujillo, BA², Susan M. Enguidanos, MPH³, and Blanca Dominguez, BS¹. (1) Health Science, California State University Long Beach, CSULB 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840, (562) 430-0044, bellis@csulb.edu, (2) Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of la Raza, National Council of la Raza, 1111 19th Street Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036, (3) Department of Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, 101 S. First Street, Suite 1000, Long Beach, CA 91502

Despite the fact that Latinos now represent the largest minority population in the US, little has been done to determine the factors that place them at increasing risk for HIV infection. The National Council of La Raza, in partnership with the Office of Minority Health, sought to further define HIV risk through a 14-site national needs assessment of Latinos and HIV risk. Eighteen focus groups and 115 in-depth interviews were conducted with at-risk and HIV positive Latinos in an effort to explain Latinos' risk of HIV infection and exposure to prevention messages. Coding via a Grounded Theory approach, in combination with analysis using ATLAS-ti were conducted. SPSS was used to analyze all quantitative data. Latinos, particularly home makers and immigrants working away from their families, were found to be at serious risk for HIV infection. Participants reported little exposure to HIV prevention messages in the United States and to be in great need of accurate and culturally relevant HIV prevention educational materials. The participants’ suggestions regarding effective HIV prevention programming will be presented, as well as NCLR’s efforts in project dissemination and HIV education. Condom use, infidelity, cultural and gender bound expectations, and perceived vulnerability will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the HIV infection risk factors faced by Latinos.
• Identify gender differences in HIV infection risks faced by Latinos.
• Discuss the barriers to HIV prevention experienced by the Latino community.

Keywords: Latinos, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.