256782 Prevalence estimates and correlates of depressive symptoms among immigrant Latino men who have sex with men: Results from a respondent-driven sampling study

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Scott Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES , Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Omar Martinez, MPH, JD(c) , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Eun-Young Song , Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Jason D. Daniel, PhD, MPH , College of Public Health, Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Jorge Alonzo, JD , Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Eugenia Eng, MPH, DrPH , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Stacy Duck, BS , 401B North Ivey Ave, Chatham Social Health Council, Siler City, NC
Mario Downs , Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Fred Bloom, PhD , Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Alex Boeving Allen, Dr , Department of Pediatrics. Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, SC
Cynthia Miller , Division of Public Health Sciences/Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Lilli Mann, MPH candidate , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Beth A. Reboussin, PhD , Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Introduction: Little is known about mental health of recently arrived immigrant Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in the southeastern United States (US). This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of depressive symptoms within this vulnerable, hard-to-reach, and neglected population.

Methods: Our community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to identify, recruit, and enroll Latino MSM to complete an interviewer-administered assessment. RDS-weighted prevalence of depressive symptoms and potential psychosocial correlates was estimated using the RDS Analysis Tool.

Results: Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to examine correlates of depressive symptoms. Unweighted and RDS-weighted prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms were 69.2% (62.2-75.3) and 74.8% (61.9-80.2), respectively. In the multivariable analysis, low social support, sexual compulsivity, and high self-esteem, were significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Within this RDS sample, Latino MSM experienced high rates of clinically significant depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms among Latino MSM were associated with low social support, increased sexual compulsivity, and high self-esteem.

Conclusions: A need exists to increase social support and comprehensive and culturally congruent mental health services for immigrant Latino MSM, particularly in the southeastern US, a region that is experiencing the most rapid growth of the Latino population compared to other regions of the country.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
By the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to: (1) Explain and evaluate the RDS process that was used to recruit a diverse sample of recently arrived immigrant Latino MSM in rural NC; and (2) Outline the prevalence of depressive symptoms and (3) Identify correlates of depressive symptoms within this vulnerable, hard-to-reach, and neglected population.

Keywords: Immigrants, Latino Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI of this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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