Engaging the capacity of comadronas as HIV prevention providers in rural Guatemala

In this study the author address rural Guatemala's poor maternal health and HIV status by integrating an effective evidence-based HIV intervention (SEPA), with local implementing health partners to extend the capacity of comadronas (traditional Mayan birth attendants) to encompass HIV prevention. I employed a multi-method design consisting of a focus group, an interview, and participant observation to identify important factors surrounding comadrona receptivity towards expanding their capacity to HIV prevention. I analyzed data using thematic analysis and identified four categories: Project logistics, HIV knowledge and risk assessment, condom perceptions, and HIV testing perceptions. I affirm comadrona receptivity toward HIV prevention, and that will guide future cultural adaptation and tailoring of SEPA for comadrona training. I will use my results to create a prototype intervention that could be applied to other similarly underserved indigenous communities

An Examination of Descriptive and Injunctive Norm Influence on Intention to Get Drunk

The influential impact of norms on problematic drinking is widely documented; however, the relevant theories purporting these effects point to multiple and varied normative components. A better understanding of the conceptual distinctions and the differential role they play can have practical implications for college prevention efforts. The purpose of the current study was to test the role of campus drinking norms, as posited by Social Norms theory (SNT) in predicting intentions to get drunk using a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Results found that SNT components did not significantly add to the prediction of intent beyond that of attitudes, subjective norms, and past behavior. Implications for prevention campaigns are discussed

Examining Interracial Marriage Attitudes As Value Expressive Attitudes

This study examined the extent to which attitudes towards Black/White interracial marriage were predicted by certain egalitarian-based (equality, mature love, benevolence) and conservative/ tradition-based values (obedience, conformity, social order, tradition). It was also predicted the strength of value-attitude link would directly affect the extent to which values (egalitarian or traditional) manifest themselves in proattitudinal messages, thereby indicating the degree to which individuals are functional when creating proattitudinal messages. The data suggest that the value factors of equality, benevolent success, and power/tradition predict positive attitudes toward Black/White interracial marriage. Additionally, the functional extension hypothesis was significant for the benevolent success model

A culturally competent approach to exploring barriers in organ donation consent among Haitian immigrants: formative focus group findings and implications

African Americans consent to donation less often than whites, have fears and misconceptions about donation specific to their cultures, and wait longer to receive transplants when the need is identified. However, there is less detailed empirical data on the transplant needs and barriers for Haitian immigrants. This paper describes focus group results designed to identify culturally grounded beliefs, attitudes, and barriers to organ donation. Results were used to design and implement the "Bay Lavi" (Give Life) campaign designed to raise awareness and increase organ donation consent among Haitian Immigrants

The role of hurtful and healing messages on eating disorder symptomology and recovery

This study analyzed how clinically diagnosed women with eating disorders described the hurtful messages from parents, siblings, and peers that triggered eating disorder symptomology as well as the healing messages that assisted with coping and recovery. Three themes overlapping across all groups were revealed for hurtful messages: 1) critical, 2) social modeling, and 3) direct comparison. Our findings show that fathers, siblings, and peers similarly used teasing. Other points of distinction were uncovered for fathers: aggressive messages and denial of eating disorder. Competition with female siblings and friends was also a triggering factor for young females with eating disorders. Four distinct categories of healing messages were identified: 1) emotional, 2) instrumental, 3) informational, and 4) appraisal. Point of distinction for friends' and siblings' healing messages was absence of negative comments about weight and appearance. Results were able to encapsulate both helpful/supportive and hurtful/unsupportive messages, and these findings will be helpful for treatment centers who may incorporate them in recovery programs

A Closer Look at Descriptive Norms and Indoor Tanning: Investigating the Intermediary Role of Positive and Negative Outcome Expectations

Indoor tanning is a risky behavior that dramatically increases skin cancer risk. Researchers from multiple disciplines aim to better understand this behavior to develop interventions and messages to curtail it. As such, we investigated the role of social norms and outcome expectations as predictors of tanning behavior as part of a larger test of constructs included in the Theory of Normative Social Behavior. In addition to offering additional empirical results to support theoretical claims for the importance of social norms and outcome expectations in predicting health behaviors, we offer indoor tanning-specific operationalizations in a conditional process model with the aim of assessing how content-specific measurements predict indoor tanning intentions. Results of a survey of adult indoor tanners from across the U.S. (N = 262) highlight when and how descriptive norms influence tanning intentions through the mediating roles of anticipatory socialization, injunctive norms, and health threat, and through the moderating role of mood-based tanning motivations. Implications for theory building as well as for intervention and message design are discussed

A Community-Based Approach to HIV Prevention in Rural Guatemala

HIV is one of the primary causes of death in Guatemala, and during the period 2005 to 2013, Guatemala exhibited a 95% increase in such deaths. HIV transmission rates are nearly 3 times higher among the indigenous Mayan population than nonindigenous Guatemalans. Guided by the community-based participatory research approach, this article demonstrates the iterative formative research process necessary to develop a deeper and more informed understanding of HIV prevention attitudes and behaviors in the priority population. This project extends preliminary formative research that demonstrated the applicability of the health belief model (HBM) in examining risk, stigma, and barriers and facilitators to condom use and HIV testing. Using an integrated mixed-method design, data were collected from heterosexual adults 18- to 25 years old ( N = 250), including 50 in-depth interviews and 200 rapid assessment surveys. HBM concepts of risk and stigma were confirmed. Data also revealed low rates of condom negotiation and high embarrassment in purchasing and discussing condom use. Furthermore, data yielded very low uptake rates and reduced levels of comfort with getting tested. This research informs refinement of a culture-specific intervention prioritizing indigenous Mayans. We highlight how community-based research and engagement enhance community health promotion

A Community-Based Approach to HIV Prevention: Engaging Mayan Young Adults in Rural Guatemala

Guatemala has an accelerating HIV rate, where prevalence is three times higher among indigenous than nonindigenous people. Vulnerability is exacerbated by high poverty, low literacy, and poor access to prevention messaging, testing, and treatment options. This study develops a community-engaged HIV prevention campaign plan for the underserved Mayan town Santiago Atitlán. Guided by the community-based participatory research approach and the Health Belief Model, we identify barriers to and facilitators of HIV testing and condom use. Formative data were collected from 50 Mayan heterosexual adults (18-25 years old) and community informants using in-depth interviews and a focus group. Data identified high susceptibility and severity, low rates of condom use, high rates of stigma and low testing rates. This research informs the development of a theoretically driven and culturally specific intervention that prioritizes an indigenous population. We highlight how collaboration with community partners enhances positive health promotion