The findings and conclusions in these presentations have not been formally disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
P118

Latino HIV Prevention: From Diffusion of Innovation Theory to a Trans-theoretical Model

Patricia Canessa, Salud Latina/Latino Health, 53 W. Jackson Blvd Suite 1257, Chicago, IL, USA


Background:
Background: Engaging Latinos in HIV prevention is a challenge beyond the utilization of behavioral interventions. It requires a thorough understanding of the contextual stressors that surround Latino's continued process of assimilation, access to health care, values, shift of gender responsibilities, beliefs and unique risk behaviors. Salud Latina/Latino Health has experimented with a variety of community-centered models, among them adaptations of the traditional Popular Opinion Leader (POL) and the formulation of our local home-grown intervention, Platicas de Comadres which has engaged women at different levels of risk into a HIV prevention campaign.

Objective:
Objectives: 1) To identify Latino cultural and linguistic characteristics that may elicit a culturally appropriate framework for HIV prevention; 2) To recognize theoretical frameworks that could facilitate the formulation of Latino culturally-competent interventions; 3) To demonstrate with two practice models the effective application of two well-known theories in the design of HIV prevention targeting Latinas.

Method:
Methods: SL/LH will introduce the process in adapting the POL model to HRH Latinas and discuss the innovative design of the Platicas model. Platicas is a model that began using beauty salons as the venue where beauticians were trained in Spanish in the utilization of a model which incorporates trans-theoretical and story-telling concepts that illustrate risk behaviors and alternatives for self-care/protective and behaviors.

Result:
Results: Significantly increased HIV testing and condom use, influenced norms which included safer sex practices and promoted the inclusion of men in a community mobilization process of HIV awareness.

Conclusion:
Conclusions: The Platicas de Comadres model reinforces alternative behaviors and rewards self-esteem and self-sufficiency among participants. Recently the Platicas model has been adapted to target partners of formerly incarcerated men.

Implications:
Implications for Programs: There are few culturally-effective interventions that target Latina women living with the uncertainty of the sero-status of their partners, and those who practice risk-behaviors.