Salud es Cultura °Protégete!: Incorporating community health workers in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts targeting underserved Latinos

Latinos are the fastest growing, youngest, and largest minority in the US representing 16% of the population. Of the 34 states included in HIV surveillance, of which Latinos account for 12%, Hispanics represent 17% of those infected. Latinos are more likely than all racial/ethnic groups to test late in the course of infection, be diagnosed with AIDS within one year, and die within 18 months of learning their status. Salud es Cultura ° Protégete! sought to increase the availability of culturally and linguistically relevant HIV/AIDS-prevention information and decrease HIV/AIDS-related stigma through a promotores-based HIV/AIDS education and testing intervention in El Paso, Texas and San Ysidro and Los Angeles, California. The first phase of the project employed Community Based Participatory Research techniques to develop a portable promotores curriculum kit and materials. Development and testing of the curriculum involved focus groups, materials development, and conducting and evaluating charlas (educational sessions) with a total of 579 participants in the three target communities. The curriculum was found to significantly increase HIV/AIDS-related knowledge (p<.0001), intention to discuss HIV/AIDS with family and friends and suggest that a partner test for HIV (p<.03), and decrease stigma associated with interacting with, and caring for, HIV positive individuals (p<.0001). Following the outreach phase, 101 kits were distributed at five regional trainings held in collaboration with Latino-focused community based organizations in San Ysidro and Long Beach, California, New York City, the District of Colombia, and Portland, Oregon. This presentation will highlight the characteristics of Salud es Cultura °Protégete!, present the promotores kit and materials, and discuss participant reactions and project outcomes.