Impacts of an empowerment-based intervention to improve the health and quality of life of monolingual Latinos living with HIV/AIDS along the US/Mexico border

Background: More research is needed to understand the impacts of barriers to care on the health and quality of life (QOL) of Latinos living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to inspire further research by evaluating the impacts of a community-based program on the health and QOL of Latinos living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S./Mexico border region.

Methods: This study was designed primarily as a qualitative program evaluation. The study sample included twelve (n=12) HIV-positive Latinos (9 men and 3 women) who participated in the program. Semi-structured interviews and QOL surveys were completed. As a comparison group, data was obtained from a population-based QOL survey (n = 260) from a national border study. Data collected included participant reactions to, and recommendations for the CLP.

Results: Compared to the SPNS respondents, the CLP participants reported significantly better health (X2(1) = 9.10; p < .01), were significantly more likely to report their health as excellent (X2(1) = 4.46; p < .05) and had significantly higher QOL subscale scores (26 + 10; t (240) = 2.79; p = .006). The five major themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews were: (1) greater control over life (2) psychological/ health changes, (3) relational support, (4) motivation to help others, and (5) program feedback.

Conclusions: This study makes a significant contribution to community-based intervention research by highlighting four core components of an effective educational and support program targeting transborder Latinos living with HIV/AIDS. It is hoped that this study will inspire future intervention studies.