HIV prevention among urban Hispanic/Latino MSM: A qualitative study of service preference

BACKGROUND: A qualitative study in the Denver metropolitan area was conducted to inform urban HIV prevention planning. METHODS: Six focus groups and twelve interviews in both Spanish and English were conducted November 2009. Recruitment used internet, flyers, phone messaging, and word-of-mouth resulting in 54 participants. Discussions were tape recorded and text data analyzed with a template editing approach allowing for emerging context and preference themes. RESULTS: Lack of a sense of community with mainstream, Latino, or the MSM communities combined with acculturation, reconciliation of religious life, culture, and life experiences contributed to institutional mistrust and familial and societal alienation. Life experiences organized comprehensively and holistically included seeking similarly structured preventive services. The preference results are similar to mainstream MSM in needs and motivation for involvement in planning as long as life context and culture are taken into account. Other themes influenced programming recommendations such as but not limited to: lack of appropriate role models, prevention message not on ‘radar,” cultural barriers, perceived organizational unprofessionalism, and marginalization and stigma caused by being gay, being Latino, and being possibly undocumented or HIV positive. Recommendations addressed prevention messaging, service need and programming, HIV testing, and methods for including Hispanic/Latino MSM in planning, development, and implementation of services. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A description of the men's lives influencing HIV/AIDS risk, prevention, and service experience surfaced. As other populations, this group stressed the need for comprehensive services. Incorporating life context within HIV prevention is paramount. Participants saw this study as one step in rebuilding their community.