327107
Adaptation of a Couple-Based HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Latino Men who have Sex with Men in New York City
Monday, November 2, 2015
: 10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
Omar Martinez, JD, MPH, MS,
HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Elwin Wu, PhD,
Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY
Timothy Frasca, MPH,
HIV Center at Columbia University, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY
Javier López Rios, MPH,
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY
Hugo Ovejero, JD,
Lutheran Family Health Center - Sunset Terrace Family Health Center, Brooklyn, NY
Eva Moya, PhD, LMSW,
School of Social Work, University of Texas School of Social Work, El Paso, TX
Justin Manusov,
School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY
Chukwuemeka Anyamele, MD, MPH,
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, NY
Alex Carballo-Dieguez, PhD,
HIV Center, and the Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, NYS Psychiatric Institute and the Columbia University of Psychiatry, New York, NY
Theo G. M. Sandfort, PhD,
Division of Gender, Sexuality, & Health: HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY
Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and their same-sex partners continue to be at high risk for HIV and STIs. Incorporating cultural factors influences the effectiveness of couple-based HIV/STI prevention interventions designed for recently-arrived immigrants or predominantly Spanish-speaking populations. Connect ‘n Unite (CNU), an evidence-based HIV/STI prevention intervention originally created for Black MSM and their same-sex partners, was adapted for predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM and their same-sex partners. A systematic adaptation process utilizing qualitative methods was used, including intervention adaptation sessions with 20 predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino gay couples and 10 health service providers. The process included five steps: (1) engaging community stakeholders, (2) capturing the lived experiences of Latino gay couples, (3) identifying intervention priorities, (4) integrating the original intervention’s social cognitive theory into a relationship-oriented, ecological framework for Latino gay couples, and finally (5) adapting intervention activities and materials. The adapted intervention, which we called Latinos en Pareja, incorporates elements that effective HIV prevention interventions share, including: a solid theoretical foundation and guidance on how to utilize available culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Considering the new biomedical advances and feedback from participants in the adaptation process, the intervention now includes biomedical prevention tools, STI testing, and social media platforms to further engage participants. The systematic adaptation approach used for a couple-based HIV prevention intervention can be similarly employed by other researchers and community stakeholders to adapt evidence-based interventions that promote wellness, linkage to care, and disease prevention for populations not originally targeted.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe the demographic characteristics of a cohort of predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM in NYC.
Discuss lived experiences of Latino gay couples.
Identify intervention priorities for Latino gay couples.
Describe the adaptation of a couple-based HIV/STI prevention intervention for Latino MSM in NYC.
Keyword(s): HIV Interventions, Evidence-Based Practice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have 10 years of experiences conducting research in the realm of HIV and sexual health. Specifically, I have taught and conducted research around the sexual health needs of MSM and Latino men.
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.
