Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107740

Tamara Marie Pluviose, School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, Florida, FL 33199, (305) 348- 4902, tpluviose@ywca-miami.org

Traditionally HIV/AIDS was viewed as a stigma to every population that it affected, especially minority populations such as Haitians. Since being stigmatized in the 1980's, the Haitian community has had to work hard to try to overcome the disparities that were created as a result. Haitian community activists working to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS within this community have to able to effectively address the many issues that different Haitian populations are faced with. Haitian-American men, and women, Haitian immigrants and Haitian couples all share the burden of disease, but may respond to community intervention efforts differently based on the amount of acculturation that the individual has experienced and the cultural values they continue to hold.

Since the primary mode of transmission of the virus is heterosexual, community-based interventions should address culture barriers specific to the Haitian population, such as language barriers, feelings about traditional methods of treatment among Haitians versus feelings toward American medical practices, gender roles for men and women, lack of contraception use, risky behaviors, and beliefs on divulging information in reference to sexual practices.

Health professionals responsible for implementing programs within the Haitian community should utilize strategies that focus on traditional Haitian beliefs of attaining education, being part of the “American dream”; then using this notion to tie in health promotion and health behavior change. This will effect positive change, not only towards behavior, but towards the family institution, social, occupational and community empowerment.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.)Know the components that are necessary to implement a successful community-based HIV/AIDS prevention program within the Haitian community.
• 2.)Identify specific behavioral theories that work best with this population based on their cultural beliefs.
• 3.)Be able to differentiate between the various beliefs, and overcome cultural barriers of different Haitian populations that are at risk, and implement preventions based on individual needs.

Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.