142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Online Program

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

303628
Factors associated with HIV and Sexual Communication among Hispanics/Latinos

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 9:24 AM - 9:42 AM

Euna August, PhD, MPH, MCHES , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Communication Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Nili Larish, MPH , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Communication Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Chassidy Hanley, MPH , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Communication Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Jo Ellen Stryker, PhD , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Prevention Communication Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Background: Hispanics/Latinos in the US are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Increased communication regarding sexual health has been identified as an important component of HIV risk reduction. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing HIV-related communication among Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods: Data were collected from a panel of Hispanics/Latinos aged 18-64 years (N=250) through an online survey in 2013. Variables included sociodemographics, HIV testing and serostatus, sexual health communication, and HIV-risk reduction messaging. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and bivariate analyses were conducted.

Results: Overall, 57.2% of Hispanic/Latino respondents reported that they had a HIV-related discussion at least once within the last 12 months. Of those who discussed HIV, the highest percentage (65.0%) indicated that they spoke with a friend, while 28% spoke with a partner/spouse. Major topics of discussion were facts about HIV (62.9%), using condoms (58.7%), and how to prevent HIV (46.9%). Significant differences in HIV and sexual communication were noted by gender and educational level. A larger proportion of Hispanic/Latino men than women specifically discussed HIV status (25.7% vs. 8.7%) in the past 12 months; whereas Hispanic/Latina women rated the need for HIV and sexual health messaging in the community more highly. Hispanics/Latinos with higher levels of formal education (i.e., some college or more) were more likely to report that they would feel comfortable discussing HIV with a sexual partner, friends, family, and their children.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that HIV communication efforts and social marketing campaigns targeting Hispanics/Latinos should consider audience segmentation by gender and educational level.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe factors associated with HIV and sexual risk communication among Hispanics or Latinos. Discuss the importance of addressing sociodemographic factors in social marketing and health communication initiatives targeting Hispanics or Latinos.

Keyword(s): Communication, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have extensive experience in the field of public health education, communication, and research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3064.0: Cultural Competency in Health Communication (organized by HCWG)