Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ashley Bizzell¹, Melbourne F. Hovell, PhD, MPH², Ana P. Martinez-Donate, PhD², Carol L. Sipan, MPH², Elaine Blumberg, MA², and Liza Rovniak, PhD². (1) Centers for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, San Diego, CA 92123, 7045779327, abizzell@projects.sdsu.edu, (2) San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92123

Background: Latinos have been disproportionately impacted by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). According to the Behavioral Ecological Model (BEM), effective strategies for HIV prevention need to adequately emphasize social and environmental factors influencing the behaviors of individuals and groups. The large Latino population in San Diego could benefit from HIV/AIDS prevention information and condom dissemination in environments that they frequent regularly, such as businesses. Methods: A probability survey local businesses, stratified by owner's ethnicity (Latino v. non-Latino) and type of business was conducted in one low STD prevalence community (N=50) and one high STD prevalence community (N=50) in San Diego County. Results: Over a quarter of the surveyed businesses reported a history of involvement in HIV prevention activities. Regarding barriers for involvement in HIV prevention, business owners/managers reported concerns related to economic cost (49%) and lack of information on preventative items (49%). On the other hand, business owners/managers reported that their motivation to participate in HIV prevention activities would increase if these activities could impact people they know (83%), translate into treatment savings (78%), and cost them no time or money (72%). None of the owners/managers reported having ever provided free or low cost condoms. In general, Latino business managers/owners reported fewer barriers toward condom distribution than non-Latinos. Conclusions: Overall, if provided with the right economic and social incentives, businesses in these San Diego communities are likely to participate in HIV prevention activities. Results will inform future interventions aimed at increasing participation of the business community in HIV prevention.

Learning Objectives: The objectives of this session are to teach the participant to

• Identify what small, local businesses in San Diego County are doing in terms of HIV prevention.
• Discuss enabling and inhibiting factors that contribute the most to participation in HIV prevention in businesses.
• Assess the influence of ethnicity, community prevalence of HIV, and type of business on participation in HIV-related activities.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered