Using Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to Address HIV Prevention and Care for Latino Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

Issues: Latinos, the fastest growing US demographic, are experiencing rapidly growing rates of HIV infection. In addition to the stigma MSM already face, Latino MSM are marginalized due to racism, poverty and their own cultural values. Yet to be researched is the unique socio-cultural context for Latino MSM in smaller, Midwestern cities where past research abuses exists.

Description: Utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) as a guiding framework, a meeting was held with key stakeholders in the Latino MSM community in Omaha, NE to discuss issues related to HIV prevention and care and the possibility of engaging in a long-term collaborative aimed at addressing these issues. Findings from the meeting will be reported.

Lessons Learned: Among the nine CBPR principles articulated by Israel et al. (2008), the need to build equitable relationships between researchers and the community was most germane. The stakeholders expressed a history of exploitation and abuse by the academy in its conduct of “community” research. Specific issues related to HIV included the lack of an agency or organization that offered culturally relevant healthcare and information and a lack of empowering prevention and care services.

Recommendations: CBPR is a viable methodology for engaging with disenfranchised communities in the study of HIV prevention. Next steps include engaging with community members to develop a CBPR study to study the complex web of socio-cultural factors that impact HIV prevention and care in a Midwestern Latino MSM community. Mutual respect and collaboration will be key to redressing past abuses by the academy.