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Adapting the VOICES HIV Behavioral Intervention for Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men

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Abstract

Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, but few behavioral interventions address their prevention needs. Adaptation of evidence-based interventions is a pragmatic strategy that builds upon lessons learned and has the potential to fill gaps in prevention programming. Yet there are few reports of how transfers are executed and whether effectiveness is achieved. This research reports on the adaptation of VOICES/VOICES, a single-session intervention designed for heterosexual adults, into No Excuses/Sin buscar excuses for Latino MSM. To test the adapted intervention, 370 at-risk Latino MSM were enrolled in a randomized trial. At a three-month follow-up, there was a sharper decrease in unprotected intercourse in the intervention group compared to controls (59 % vs. 39 %, ANOVA p < 0.05, F = 4.10). Intervention participants also reported more condom use at last intercourse (AOR = 1.69; 95 % CI 1.02–2.81, p < 02). Findings support use of adapted models for meeting prevention needs of high-priority populations.

Resumen

Los hombres latinos que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH) son afectados desproporcionadamente por el VIH/SIDA, pero pocas intervenciones de comportamiento se dirigen a las necesidades de prevención de este grupo. La adaptación de intervenciones basadas en evidencias es una estrategia pragmática fundada en lecciones aprendidas y tiene el potencial de cubrir lo que carecen los programas de prevención. Aun así, existen pocos reportes de cómo adaptar las intervenciones y si estas son eficaces. Esta investigación informe sobre cómo VOCES/VOICES, una intervención de una sesión diseñada para adultos heterosexuales, fue adaptada a la intervención Sin buscar excusas para HSH latinos. Para probar la eficacia de la intervención adaptada, 370 HSH latinos de alto riesgo fueron enlistados en un estudio randomizado. A los tres meses de seguimiento, se encontró que hubo una gran disminución de sexo anal sin protección en el grupo de intervención comparado con el grupo de control (59 % versus 39 %, ANOVA p < 0.05, F = 4.10). Los participantes del grupo de intervención reportaron también más uso del condón en la última vez que tuvieron sexo anal (AOR = 1.69, 95 % CI 1.02–2.81, p < 0.02). Estos resultados apoyan el uso de los modelos adaptados para resolver necesidades de prevención en poblaciones de prioridad de alto riesgo.

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Acknowledgments

This study was part of a multi-site initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (No Excuse/Sin Buscar Excusas Intervention to Reduce Latino Men’s HIV Risks, Grant # 5UR6PS0004250). The authors appreciate the efforts of staff from the Callen Lorde Community Health Center and the Hispanic AIDS Forum in New York, which provided access to their facilities for study research staff and participants. At EDC, senior project director Alexi San Doval, MPH, and senior field coordinator Richard Duran, MSW, led field activities for the pilot study. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, No Excuse/Sin buscar excusas Intervention to Reduce Latino Men’s HIV Risks, Grant # 5UR6PS0004250. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Education Development Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Education Development Center, Waltham, MA, USA

    Lydia O’Donnell & Ann Stueve

  2. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Heather A. Joseph & Stephen Flores

Authors
  1. Lydia O’Donnell
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  2. Ann Stueve
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  3. Heather A. Joseph
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  4. Stephen Flores
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Correspondence to Lydia O’Donnell.

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O’Donnell, L., Stueve, A., Joseph, H.A. et al. Adapting the VOICES HIV Behavioral Intervention for Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 18, 767–775 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0653-3

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