Abstract

Solo Se Vive Una Vez (You Only Live Once): A Campaign to Improve HIV Testing Among Immigrant Latinx in Baltimore

Harita Shah, MD1, Suzanne Grieb, PhD, MSPH1, Alejandra Flores-Miller2, Karine Yenokyan, PhD3 and Kathleen Page, MD2
(1)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, (2)Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD, (3)Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD

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Of the 263,000 Latinx with HIV in the U.S., 1/5 are unaware of their infection. Consistent with national trends, Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) data show that HIV-infected Latinx are more likely to be diagnosed late than any other racial/ethnic groups. In prior studies, we demonstrated barriers to HIV testing among Latinx in Baltimore include HIV stigma, cultural/linguistic discordance, uninsured status, and fear of deportation. From July to December 2018, we implemented the Solo Se Vive Una Vez (You Only Live Once) campaign partnering with BCHD to increase HIV testing among Latinx in Baltimore by addressing these barriers. The campaign included a website (solovive.org) and advertisements on social media, buses, billboards, radio, events, and dating apps. We conducted cross-sectional surveys of 315 Latinx adults obtaining HIV testing at BCHD after campaign launch and obtained sexual risk information from BCHD medical records. 34% of respondents reported exposure to the campaign; 86% of those exposed reported that the campaign positively influenced their decision to get tested. Respondents with campaign exposure had significantly higher numbers of sexual partners and rates of paying drugs/money for sex (p<0.05). The website has had 9,967 visitors, and 130 users have requested testing through the website. Solo Se Vive Una Vez is Baltimore’s first Spanish-language public health campaign promoting HIV screening. The campaign achieved comparable exposure to other campaigns addressing HIV testing in Latinx and positively influenced Latinx with high-risk behaviors to get tested. BCHD surveillance data is currently being tabulated to measure change in city-wide testing rates.

Communication and informatics Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Program planning Public health or related research