Evaluation of an HIV/Aids Prevention Intervention Targeting Latino Gay Men and Men Who Have Sex with Men in Puerto Rico

Abstract

This article presents the evaluation of an HIV prevention model and intervention targeting Latino gay males and men who have sex with men in Puerto Rico. Based on the health belief model in combination with concepts of self-efficacy, cognitive theory, and community development, a series of workshops were developed to enhance safer sex behavior among participants. A total of 587 men recruited by availability in gay meeting places and through peer referral participated in the intervention between 1992 and 1995. Participants engaged in a 3-hour small group meeting and four 3-hour workshops as part of the intervention. Pretests and posttests were administered to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to HIV infection; a risk index was calculated to measure the level of behavior risk for HIV infection. Participants demonstrated lower risk indexes after the intervention. This model represents a culturally competent and relevant intervention for similar communities.

A pilot clustered randomized control trial evaluating the efficacy of a network-based HIV peer-education intervention targeting men who have sex with men in Hong Kong, China

“…The Health Belief Model (HBM) specifies that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy are important determinants of HIVrelated behaviors (Rosenstock, Stretcher, & Becker, 1994). Both the TPB and HBM have been used to design HIV prevention programs (Jemmott, Jemmott, & Fong, 1998;Toro-Alfonso, Varas-Diaz, & Andujar-Bello, 2002). This clustered RCT evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a pilot intervention targeting MSM in Hong Kong, China, which involved peer educators of two generations and peer educators' social networks.…”

Compensated Sex and Sexual Risk: Sexual, Social and Economic Interactions between Homosexually- and Heterosexually-Identified Men of Low Income in Two Cities of Peru

“…This intrapersonal characteristic is important because low self-esteem affects their capacity to adopt preventive behaviors. Toro-Alfonso et al (2002) state that those who exhibit lower self-esteem and less ability to establish limits in their interpersonal relationships have more of a propensity to involve themselves in risky sexual behaviors.…”

A randomized controlled trial to test an HIV-prevention intervention for Latino gay and bisexual men: lessons learned

“…Interventions for Latino MSM are typically expected to stimulate 'empowerment' (Díaz, 1998, p. 154;Morales, 1995;Zimmerman et al, 1997), analytic skills (Morales, 1995), critical thinking (Díaz, 1998, p. 156) and feelings of self-efficacy (Marín et al, 1998;Morales, 1995;Toro-Alfonso et al, 2000), as well as to include networking among peers (Morales, 1995;Ramírez-Valles & Brown, 2003).…”