257679 Reproductive and sexual health care for Latino men in rural Oregon: Providers' experiences and perceptions

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM

Megan Cahn, MPH , College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
S. Marie Harvey, DrPH, MPH , College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Meredith R. Branch, MPH , College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Antonio Torres, BA , College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Latino migrants to the United States are increasingly settling in regions of the country that have not traditionally seen migrants, including rural communities in the Northwest. Nationwide, Latinos are disproportionately affected by unintended pregnancy and HIV/STIs. Little is known, however, about the sexual and reproductive health of these new migrants. Migrants to these communities tend to be young, male, non-English speakers, with minimal education, who may be at increased risk for sexual health problems that rural communities are ill equipped to address. The goal of this study was to better understand how to deliver sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) to this population. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 29 health care practitioners employed by publicly-funded family planning clinics who provide SRHS to Latino males in rural Oregon. Using content analyses, we examined providers' perspectives on factors influencing the use of SRHS by Latino men and strategies for increasing capacity to effectively serve this population. Providers identified multiple factors they perceived to negatively impact men's use of SRHS, including men's lack of accurate knowledge, discomfort discussing sexual health, and denial and fear of health problems; clinics' lack of resources, the need for additional outreach services, a shortage of male and Spanish speaking providers, and clinic access. Providers supported the inclusion of Latino men in SRHS and recommended strategies for increasing capacity including innovative outreach approaches, improving provider fluency in Spanish, and offering services in a culturally appropriate manner. Additional findings and implications for services and policies will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe barriers and facilitators influencing the use of sexual and reproductive health care by Latino men in rural Oregon from the perspective of health care providers. Discuss capacity building mechanisms that providers believe could make reproductive health care more accessible and acceptable to Latino men.

Keywords: Latino Health, Barriers to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year doctoral student in public health with a focus on reproductive and sexual health. My specific interests are in the health of Latino and American Indian populations, and the health systems that serve them.
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.