1. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Barriers and Facilitators Associated with
HIV Testing among Latino MSM
Rosa Solorio, M.D., M.P.H.
University of Washington School of Public Health
Seattle, WA

2. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Background: HIV among Latino MSM
o Latinos face HIV health disparities
o HIV diagnosis is three times higher than
non-Hispanic Whites
o Late HIV diagnosis
oSpanish speakers
o CDC Testing Guidelines, 2006
oEarly HIV Identification and Treatment
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3. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Specific Aims
o To identify barriers and facilitators associated
with HIV testing among Latino MSM
o To develop a culturally-specific intervention to
increase HIV testing among Latino MSM
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4. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Research Project
o Part I: Qualitative Interviews (n=60)
o 80% Mexican descent MSM & 20% from
Central and South America
o 99% monolingual Spanish Speakers
o Ages 18-40 years
o Recruitment:
o Entre Hermanos exit interviews
o Part II: Intervention Development
o Storyboard script tested with 10 focus groups
(each group 4-6 MSM; n=62)
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5. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Part I: Methodology
o Qualitative
interviews with Latino MSM
assessed barriers and facilitators
associated with HIV testing:
oIndividual factors
oHealth system factors
oCounseling and testing factors
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6. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Part I: Qualitative Interview Findings
o HIV testing: 50% of participants had never tested
o Major Barriers to Testing
o Lack of knowledge about the benefits from timely
HIV detection
o Fear of testing positive
o Denial of HIV risk/Stigma deflection
o Confidentiality concerns
o Facilitators for Testing
o Social support from peers
o Access to HIV testing in non-medical settings
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7. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards Part II: Intervention Development
o Qualitative data used to develop an HIV Testing Program for Latino
MSM:
o Storyboard script for a DVD: peer model, storytelling and a
customized marketing strategy to promote HIV testing among
Latino MSM
o The peer model promotes:
- the benefits from timely HIV detection,
- instills in participants accurate perceptions of HIV
susceptibility and knowledge about HIV infection and
- reduces fear and stigma associated with HIV testing
o Conceptual framework: Marketing principles, including the 4 Ps
(product, place, price, promotion) & the Health Belief Model
o Formative research:10 focus groups conducted to culturally tailor
the script for Latino MSM
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8. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards Part II: Results
Marketing Implementation
Product: outreach program that
promotes sexual health among young
Latino MSM Spanish speakers
Place: entertainment venue
Pricing/Costs/Barriers: a marketing mix
Attitudes towards HIV
testing
Promotion: peer models
↑ Acceptance of HIV testing
↑ Intentions to seek HIV testing
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9. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Conclusions
o The iterative focus groups process was
successful in culturally-tailoring the script for
Latino MSM and in increasing the acceptability
of HIV testing
o Results indicate that 60% of MSM have
intentions to undergo HIV testing in the next 6
months post-participation in the last two focus
groups
o Future Plans: submit NIH application
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10. UW/FHCRC CFAR New Investigator Awards
Acknowledgements
o Jane Simoni, PhD
o Beti Thompson, PhD
o Entre Hermanos
o Marcos Martinez, MA, Director
o Joel Aguirre, BA, Interviewer
o UW CFAR P30 Grant AI027757 (PI Holmes, King;
Project PI Solorio, Rosa)
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