Although gang-involved Latino youth in the United States are uniquely at risk of adverse consequences from sexual behavior, little research is available that can guide those who wish to develop interventions to reduce sexual risk among these youth. To facilitate the development of effective interventions, we identified cultural and contextual factors that influence sexual behavior and sex education among gang-involved Latino youth in one U.S. community. By analyzing transcripts from interviews and focus groups with three different groups of key stakeholders--gang-experienced Latino youth, the parents of gang-experienced Latino youth, and the personnel of a program providing comprehensive human services for gang-involved Latino youth--we identified three domains to be considered in developing sexual risk-reduction interventions for gang-involved U.S. Latino youth. The focus of our discussion is on the implications of these findings for future development or adaptation of interventions.

Central, ubicado en la parte central de Costa Rica, es ocupado por aproximadamente 2,5 millones de habitantes lo que representa un poco más del 50 % de la población nacional. En él se concentra una gran parte de la actividad socioeconómica del país. Comprende las ciudades principales de las provincias de San José, Alajuela, Heredia y Cartago. Allí el crecimiento poblacional ha venido en aumento acompañado de una mayor demanda de servicios diversos que en muchos casos no han podido ser satisfechos. La expansión del desarrollo industrial, la demanda de zonas residenciales, entre otros, conduce a una acelerada alteración del ambiente natural.Existen importantes zonas agrícolas y de desarrollo turístico, donde ya se ha iniciado un uso importante del recurso hídrico subterráneo y no hay conocimiento del régimen real de explotación ni del potencial de las fuentes subterráneas.Durante las décadas pasadas se realizaron algunos estudios importantes sobre las aguas subterráneas, principalmente con fines de consumo humano en importantes centros de población, sin embargo, son estudios que no reflejan la situación actual y las tendencias de crecimiento. Algunos The study area is characterized by a high density urban population, where the presence of industry and agriculture negatively impact the groundwater resources. The DI-O-S method was used to define the hydrogeological vulnerability, based in three factors: type of aquifer, lithology and depth of groundwater level. The zones with high vulnerability are located to the North and East sides of the Valle Central. These zones must be investigated in great detail to be considered in further urban management plans. RESUMEN:Este trabajo presenta el mapa de vulnerabilidad hidrogeológica de una parte del Valle Central de Costa Rica, donde se concentra la mayor parte de la población del país, se desarrolla gran parte de la industria, agricultura y otros procesos productivos que impactan de forma negativa a los recursos subterráneos. Se utilizó el método de DI-O-S, que se basa en el producto de tres parámetros: ocurrencia del agua subterránea, sustrato litológico y profundidad del nivel de agua subterránea. Se puede observar que las áreas de mayor vulnerabilidad hidrogeológica se localizan al norte y este del Valle Central. Estas zonas, deben investigarse con mayor detalle, para ser consideradas en los planes de ordenamiento del territorio.

When membership in specific U.S. Latina/o subgroups is associated with differences in constructs related to an intervention’s targets or key components, adaptation must respond to Latina/o cultural constructs and to subgroup contextual factors. In the present study, we examined the feasibility of delivering an intervention to reduce sexually risky behavior in U.S. Latina/o youth adapted in response to the contexts faced by gang-involved Latina/o youth. Our secondary goal was to examine the effectiveness and satisfaction outcomes associated with the adapted intervention. Results suggest that the adapted version can be faithfully implemented, and that—compared the standard intervention—the adaptation has comparable effectiveness and higher participant satisfaction. We discuss the future development and evaluation of the intervention, and the usefulness of cultural adaptation in response to the needs of high-risk Latina/o subgroups.

Most crimes committed by adolescents in the United States are linked to gang activity, which is disproportionally present in Latina/o communities. Although most ganginvolved teenage fathers wish that their children would not join gangs, their parenting tends to foster gang involvement in their children. An improved understanding of fatherhood among gang-involved U.S. Latino youth can inform the development of parenting-and fatherhood-focused interventions. To foster such understanding, we conducted interviews and focus groups with purposive samples of young gang-involved Latino fathers, parents of gang-involved Latino youth, and individuals who provide services or supports to gang-involved youth. Guided by Marshall and Rossman's (1995) broad qualitative approach, we analyzed transcripts of these interviews and Editor's Note. Consuelo Arbona acted as handling editor.