Overcoming Issues and Challenges in Serving the Sexual Health Needs of Latino Immigrants in the United States

Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic segment in the US, expected to grow 167% from 2010 to 2050, compared to 42% growth for the total U.S. population. Currently, Latinos make up 17% of the nation’s total population, with projections that this number will nearly double to 30% by 2050. While diversity exists among U.S. Latinos, there are nevertheless several factors that are quite common among Latino immigrants as a whole, including immigration experiences, language, cultural values, and religion. These same characteristics help shape their shared lived experiences in the US, including their sexual health. Providing sexual education and health services to vulnerable populations is a key component in promoting community wellness and making a significant public health impact. However, there are often several obstacles that stand between public health advocates, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and the target population they wish to impact. This paper provides a summary of the current empirical literature on sexual health among Latino immigrants; explores some of the main sexual health needs, issues, and challenges affecting this population, including HIV/STIs, sexual abuse and sex-trafficking, and barriers to access sexual and reproductive health services; and presents recommendations and approaches to cope with the myriad challenges affecting this growing minority population

A Couple-based Approach: AN Innovative Effort to Tackle HIV Infection among Latino Gay Men

The HIV epidemic is a serious and pervasive health issue in the Latino community. While prevention efforts have helped maintain stability in the overall number of infections among Latinos for more than a decade, this population continues to be affected by HIV at high levels. In particular, Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Several factors contribute to the HIV epidemic among Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM including substance use; intimate partner violence; the presence of certain STIs; same-sex relationship dynamics; avoidance of seeking testing counseling and treatment out of fear of discrimination and immigration status; and poverty, migration patterns, and language barriers. In particular, epidemiological behavioral research has identified how relationship dynamics in male couples are associated with sexual risk behavior. Consequently, further research is needed to identify and deliver interventions geared toward couple-based risk reduction among men in same-sex relationships. This paper describes the potential significance that innovative couple-based approaches can have on reducing HIV and AIDS cases among Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM and their same-sex partners

Adaptation of a Couple-Based HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City

Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and their same-sex partners continue to be at high risk for HIV and STIs. Behavioral research has identified how relationship dynamics for male couples are associated with sexual risk behavior. Connect ‘n Unite (CNU), an evidence-based HIV/STI prevention intervention originally created for Black MSM and their same-sex partners, was adapted for predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino MSM and their same-sex partners on the assumption that its key elements would be translatable while its efficacy would be retained. A systematic adaptation process utilizing qualitative methods was used, including intervention adaptation sessions with 20 predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino gay couples and 10 health service providers. The process included five steps: (1) engaging community stakeholders, (2) capturing the lived experiences of Latino gay couples, (3) identifying intervention priorities, (4) integrating the original intervention’s social cognitive theory into a relationship-oriented, ecological framework for Latino gay couples, and (5) adapting intervention activities and materials. The adapted intervention, which we called Latinos en Pareja or Latinos in a Relationship, incorporates elements that effective HIV prevention interventions share, including: a solid theoretical foundation; emphasis on increasing risk reduction norms, sexual communication skills and social support for protection; and guidance on how to utilize available, culturally and linguistically appropriate services. The systematic adaptation approach used for a couples-based HIV prevention intervention also can be employed by other researchers and community stakeholders to adapt evidence-based interventions that promote wellness, linkage to care, and disease prevention for populations not originally targeted