The Southeastern United States has the fastest-growing Latino population in the country and at the same time carries a disproportionate HIV burden. Few efficacious HIV prevention interventions exist for either Latinos or men who have sex with men (MSM). In response to RFA-PS-09-007 """"""""Evaluating Locally-Developed (Homegrown) HIV Prevention Interventions for African American and Hispanic/Latino MSM,"""""""" our community-university partnership proposes a 5-year study (U01) to enhance, fully implement, and rigorously evaluate a small-group intervention designed to increase condom use and HIV testing among Latino MSM. The intervention was developed by Chatham Social Health Council staff and community partners, including Latino MSM, and is based on social cognitive theory and theory of empowerment education. The proposed study is a result of a long-term community-university partnership. A total of 300 Latino MSM will be enrolled. Participants will complete an initial baseline risk behavior assessment designed to measure current sexual behavior, and psychological, social, and cultural influences on sexual behavior and healthcare use. Participants then will be randomized to a 4-session small-group HIV prevention intervention (HOLA en Grupos) or a 4-session small-group cancer prevention education comparison intervention. All participants also will complete identical assessments at 3-month and 12-month follow-up. Participants in the HIV prevention intervention, relative to their peers in the comparison group, are anticipated to demonstrate (a) increased self-reported use of condoms during sexual intercourse;(b) increased self-reported use of HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) counseling, testing, and treatment services;(c) greater knowledge of the impact of HIV on communities (including Latino and MSM), and HIV risk behaviors and prevention strategies;(d) more positive attitudes towards abstinence and condom use;(e) increased self- efficacy to use and assert the use of condoms;(f) increased sense of mastery scores;(g) decreased barriers to risk reduction (e.g., health-compromising aspects of machismo);and (h) enhanced partner and provider communication and sexual negotiation skills. The results and products from this study will be disseminated to inform public health practice, research, and policy. Results and products will include: (1) a Spanish-language intervention that is: culturally relevant;designed to reduce HIV risk among Latino MSM, and ready for dissemination;and (2) a deeper understanding of HIV risk and intervention among Latino MSM.

Public Health Relevance

Few effective HIV prevention interventions exist for either Latinos or men who have sex with men (MSM). We propose to enhance, fully implement, and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of a locally developed intervention designed to reduce the disproportionate HIV burden borne by Latino MSM in the United States.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDS and Tb Prevention (NCHHSTP)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01PS001570-03
Application #
8260791
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZPS1-GCA (11))
Program Officer
Yee, Eileen
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$513,214
Indirect Cost
$122,088
Name
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
937727907
City
Winston-Salem
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27157
Rhodes, Scott D; Alonzo, Jorge; Mann-Jackson, Lilli et al. (2018) Selling the product: Strategies to increase recruitment and retention of Spanish-speaking Latinos in biomedical research. J Clin Transl Sci 2:147-155
Rhodes, Scott D; Tanner, Amanda E; Mann-Jackson, Lilli et al. (2018) Community-Engaged Research as an Approach to Expedite Advances in HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment: A Call to Action. AIDS Educ Prev 30:243-253
Rhodes, Scott D; Alonzo, Jorge; Mann, Lilli et al. (2017) Small-Group Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Condom Use and HIV Testing Among Hispanic/Latino Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men. Am J Public Health 107:969-976
Rhodes, Scott D; Mann-Jackson, Lilli; Alonzo, Jorge et al. (2017) Engaged for Change: A Community-Engaged Process for Developing Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities. AIDS Educ Prev 29:491-502
Alonzo, Jorge; Mann, Lilli; Tanner, Amanda E et al. (2016) Reducing HIV risk among Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men: Qualitative analysis of behavior change intentions by participants in a small-group intervention. J AIDS Clin Res 7:
Rhodes, Scott D; Alonzo, Jorge; Mann, Lilli et al. (2015) Enhancement of a Locally Developed HIV Prevention Intervention for Hispanic/Latino MSM: A Partnership of Community-Based Organizations, a University, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AIDS Educ Prev 27:312-32
Rhodes, Scott D; Duck, Stacy; Alonzo, Jorge et al. (2013) Using community-based participatory research to prevent HIV disparities: assumptions and opportunities identified by the Latino partnership. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 63 Suppl 1:S32-5