A Randomized Controlled Trial Testing an HIV Prevention Intervention for Latino Youth Antonia M. Villarruel, PhD, RN; John B. Jemmott III, PhD; Loretta S. Jemmott, PhD, RN. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:772-777.

Successful Anti-HIV Program Targets Hispanic Teens Yahool News Tue Aug 8, 11:47 PM ET
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550 Latinos aged 13 through 18 years were enrolled in the study. Control interventions consisted of six 50-minute modules delivered by adult facilitators to small, mixed-gender groups in English or Spanish while the HIV intervention focused solely on HIV prevention. The HIV prevention program also incorporated issues thought to be especially significant in the Hispanic culture, such as the importance of family.

Those in the HIV intervention were, according to the abstract, “less likely to report sexual intercourse (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.96), multiple partners (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.90), and days of unprotected intercourse (relative risk, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.84) and more likely to report using condoms consistently (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.24-2.93).”

Commentary

While encouraging, it must be noted that this study, as is true with many others, depends entirely on self-report from the adolescents studied.

• Cultural Differences & Presumed Noncompliance
• Using Psychology Of Eating To Enhance Compliance
• Benefits Of Compliance Enhancement Diminish When Program Ends
• LIFE Program Enhances Adherence
• Effect Of Targeted Interventions On Patient Compliance With Screening