Marlene Luna Mentor: Britt Rios-Ellis, PhD Department of Health Science California State University, Long Beach HIV / AIDS Latinas

Clarifying The Situation: Let’s Talk About HIV/AIDS... Between Latina Intergenerational Female Family Dyads

Hypothesis Participation in Hablando Claro, Clear Talk, will lead to an increase in sexual risk communication among intergenerational Latinas within the family as well as greater intention to use condoms and test for HIV.

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Overview HIV/AIDS Facts Latina Youth Hablando Claro Hypothesis Methodology Data Analysis Results

HIV/ AIDS HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

HIV/AIDS (Cont.) If infected with HIV, test results may not show positive until 3 to 6 months later HIV ≠ AIDS however AIDS = HIV AIDS is developed when – CD4 cell level is less than 200 – CD4 cell percentage is less than 14%

Facts AIDS kills one person every 17 seconds worldwide In the US, someone is infected with HIV every 9 ½ minutes Latinos account for 21% of AIDS diagnoses among teens (13-19) Provided by the Center for Disease Control

Image Provided by AIDES

Latina Youth Studies show Latina adolescents have lower sexuality and sexual risk-related knowledge when compared to other ethnicities In 2007, of all the females ages living with HIV, 18% were of Latino descent Heterosexual transmission is the most common reason for infection among Latinas

Hablando Claro Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health Aims to reduce HIV infection risks: – Increasing sexual risk communication between intergenerational female family dyads – Educating at-risk women and girls regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and condom use

Demographics Criteria for participation in Hablando Claro: Latina Aged 12 and older Participate as intergenerational female family dyads or triads Residing in Long Beach or Paramount, CA

The Intervention Orientation and Two-Day Session (4 hours each) Promotoras de Salud (Health Mentors) Activities – Increase Communication – Learn about HIV/AIDS & STIs – HIV Testing – Counseling – Monthly Support Sessions

Hypothesis Participation in Hablando Claro, Clear Talk, will lead to an increase in sexual risk communication among intergenerational Latinas within the family as well as greater intention to use condoms and test for HIV.

Methodology Sources of Data – Demographic Form Age, sexual orientation, birthplace, etc. – Pre, Post, & Follow-up Questionnaire Sexual Behavior: “Have you ever had sex?” Communication : “How often have you talked with your mom about sex?”

Measures Communication Communication Comfort Level Intention to Use Condoms Intention to Test for HIV

Data Analysis Paired-Sample T-Test – Pre, Post, and Follow- up Grouped variables – Ex: Communication Comfort Level Pearson’s Correlation Test (Pearson’s R) – Pre, Post and Follow-up Mother/ Daughter Communication and Sexual Behavior

Demographics Youth (n=171)Adults (n=129) Mean Age Nativity (n) United States80.2% (134)0.8% (1) Latin America19.8% (33)99.2% (124)

Sexual Activity & HIV Testing Youth (n=171)Adults (n=129) Any sexual activity, lifetime 15.9% (27)100% (129) Have you ever tested for HIV? Yes 19.2% (5)80.3% (102) No 73.1% (19)18.1% (23) Not Sure 7.7% (2)1.6% (2)

Communication Youth (171)Adults (129) TopicBeforeAfterBeforeAfter Sex Never (44%)Sometimes (35.4%)Often (41.5%)Often (50.5%) STIs Never (43.5%)Never (33.3%)Often ( 41%)Often (45.9%) HIV/AIDS Never (49.1%)Sometimes (32.9%)Often (40.8%)Often (45.95%) Pregnancy Sometimes (32%)Sometimes (36.4%)Often (53.7%)Often (58.2%) Condom Use Never (53.5%)Never (33.6%)Often (36.7%)Often (51.4%)

Communication Comfort Youth (171) TopicBeforeAfter Sex Neutral (25%)Neutral (27.6%) STIs Neutral (29.3%)Neutral (31.9%) HIV/AIDS Neutral (33.3%) Somewhat Comfortable (29.2%) Pregnancy Neutral (26.8%)Neutral (27.8%) Condom Use Very Uncomfortable (33.3%) Somewhat Comfortable (27.3%)

Communication Comfort Adults (129) TopicBeforeAfter Sex Somewhat Comfortable (29.6%) Very Comfortable (40.2%) STIs Very Comfortable (30.2%) Very Comfortable (45.9%) HIV/AIDS Somewhat Comfortable (33.6%) Very Comfortable (48.6%) Pregnancy Somewhat Comfortable (34.1%) Very Comfortable (52.3%) Condom Use Very Comfortable (33.9%) Very Comfortable (46.8%)

Intention To Use Condoms Youth (171)Adults (129) TopicBeforeAfterBeforeAfter Plan to suggest condom use to partner Neutral/ Unsure (39.4%) Agree (43%)Agree (41.1%) Completely Agree (56%) Plan to use condom next time I have sex Neutral/ Unsure Agree (32.7%) Completely Agree (45.3%) Agree (38.6%) Completely Agree (54%) Plan to use condoms more often Neutral/ Unsure (34.4%) Completely Agree (44.9%) Agree Completely Agree (36%) Completely Agree (53.2%)

Intention To Test For HIV Youth (171)Adults (129) TopicBeforeAfterBeforeAfter Plan to have an HIV test in the next 3 months Neutral/ Unsure (48.5%) Neutral/ Unsure (36%) Agree (42.1%) Completely Agree (44.8%)

Conclusion Significant increase in communication and communication comfort level Increase in intention to use condoms and test for HIV Future Studies – Factors that influence frequency of pregnancy discussion – Effects of this intervention on adolescents’ communication with their future children

Remember…

Marlene Luna Thank You HIV / AIDS Latinas