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Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe current sexual violence screening practices of student health centers located on universities in Florida. Participants: Institutional level data was collected from 33 student health centers from November 2015 through January 2016. The student health centers were located on public or private universities. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Data was collected from student health center representatives through use of a telephone administered survey. Results: Findings reveal that the majority of student health centers screen for sexual violence. However, not all use effective screening strategies. Further, the majority of screening questions used are not specific to sexual violence. Conclusions: Findings can be used to assist universities with responding to campus sexual violence among the college population. Recommendations for strengthening sexual violence screening practices and future research are provided.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a dating violence (DV) prevention program for Cuban American adolescents ("JOVEN"/YOUTH: "Juntos Opuestos a la Violence Entre Novios"/Together Against Dating Violence). A randomized-controlled experimental design with a delayed condition was used to evaluate the effects on DV victimization and perpetration (N = 82). Self-administrated assessments were completed at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after the intervention to assess for psychological victimization and perpetration and physical and sexual victimization and perpetration. Effect sizes were estimated, and generalized estimating equations were generated to test intervention effects over time and potential gender interactions. The intervention had medium to strong effects on DV victimization and perpetration for male participants but not for females. However, intervention effects were not statistically significant over time. More research is needed to enhance intervention effects of JOVEN on DV outcomes and to evaluate these effects among a larger and more diverse sample.

The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and acquisition among female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were abstracted from intake and HIV/STI testing forms from a family justice center, to identify the socioeconomic and abuse characteristics associated with requesting and obtaining an HIV/STI test (n = 343) and acquisition of HIV/STIs (n = 111). Multiple logistic regression using forward selection was used to identify predictors of HIV/STI testing and acquisition. Females experiencing greater risk of lethality were at higher odds of requesting an HIV/STI test; however, risk of lethality did not predict the receipt of an HIV/STI test. A history of sexual assault was associated with higher odds of acquiring HIV/STIs in the past year. Interventions are needed to facilitate HIV/STI testing among female victims of IPV, especially those with higher risk of lethality and a history of sexual assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite calls to increase the number and diversity of doctorally prepared nurses, recent data indicate a severe shortage of PhD-prepared nurses, especially those of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. This is concerning, given that evidence indicates that racial/ethnic minority PhD-prepared nurses are well-positioned to address health disparities, by attending to the needs/concerns of medically underrepresented groups. The purpose of this article is to describe and provide a preliminary evaluation of a summer research program for minority nursing students. Online surveys were administered to assess for student satisfaction, knowledge gains, attitudes toward research, and intentions to pursue a PhD among minority undergraduate nursing students ( N = 6) participating in the 10-week program. Favorable trends were observed related to satisfaction, knowledge gains, and attitudes toward research. Fifty percent of the sample intended to pursue a PhD immediately after the program, compared to none before the program, and this result was maintained at 1-year post-program. The summer research program appears to be a promising strategy for increasing the number/diversity of PhD-prepared nurses. More research on the implementation of programs exposing minority nursing students to health disparities research is needed to strengthen evidence that similar programs can serve to increase the pipeline of diverse doctorally prepared nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigration often results in the separation of families, and in particular transnational parenting, which is the separation of mothers from children. Transnational mothers may have greater risks for poor mental health and behavioral conditions such as substance abuse, violence, sexual risk, and depression. This study was a secondary analysis of self-reported data from 425 Hispanic mothers (328 with no separations, 60 separated from an adult child, and 37 separated from a minor child) enrolled in a randomized trial of a sexual health group intervention in South Florida (USA). Separations were related to mother’s age, years in the United States, family income, number of people living on income, acculturation to the United States, occupational/economic stress, immigration stress, and lifetime exposure to abuse. A follow-up analysis described the types of childhood or adulthood abuse experienced by mothers with separations. These findings provide new information for nurses about the experience of immigrant mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm the substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression syndemic among Hispanic men, and to test whether stress and sociocultural factors, including acculturation, family support, and sexual orientation, predict this syndemic.Method: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 164 Hispanic men using standardized measures for Hispanic Stress (Cervantes, Padilla, & Salgado de Snyder, 1991), substance abuse (Kelly et al., 1994), violence (Peragallo et al., 2005), risk for HIV (González-Guarda, Peragallo, Urrutia, Vasquez, & Mitrani, 2008), and depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale, CES-D; Radloff, 1977).Results: Results from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) supported the syndemic factor among Hispanic men. While family/cultural stress and homosexual identity were risk factors for the syndemic factor, family support was protective.Conclusions: More longitudinal research is needed to identify influences on the syndemic factor among diverse Hispanic communities. Interventions that address stress and enhance family supports may show promise in addressing and preventing syndemics among Hispanic men. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanic females in their late adolescence appear to be disproportionately affected by dating violence, yet the majority of victims never seek out formal services. The purpose of this study was to explore the dating violence and help-seeking experiences of Hispanic females in their late adolescence. Participants were recruited from a social service agency providing wrap-around services to individuals and families affected by abuse in South Florida. Eleven in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with Hispanic female victims of dating violence in their late adolescence (18 to 24 years of age) in English or Spanish. A thematic analysis of transcripts identified four major themes: (a) conflict, culture, and context influences Hispanic couples; (b) missed opportunities to accessing help; (c) pivotal moments are needed to access formal services; and (d) family matters. Participants of this study believed that dating violence was more normative in Hispanic relationships than “American” relationships. Although participants had opportunities to seek formal services early in their relationships, formal services were only sought after pivotal moments. Families played an important role in supporting or further victimizing the participants. Findings from this study can be used to inform interventions addressing both informal and formal sources of support for Hispanic female victims of dating violence in their late adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of dating relationships and teen dating violence prevention within a predominantly Cuban American community in Miami-Dade County. Eight focus groups ( n = 74 participants) with adolescents of Hispanic origin ( n = 29), their parents ( n = 29), and school personnel ( n = 16) were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Four themes characterized the nature and context of dating relationships among adolescents of Hispanic origin: YOLO-You Only Live Once, cultural unity but social division, dating is not going out, and the social environment challenges healthy relationships. The information generated from this study can be used to develop culturally tailored teen dating violence prevention programs targeting youth of Hispanic origin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanics are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). Most of the research describing factors associated with intimate partner violence among Hispanics has focused on Hispanic women or Hispanics in heterosexual relationships. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual), and demographic, cultural, and psychological factors and intimate partner violence among Hispanic men. A cross sectional questionnaire was administered to 160 Hispanic heterosexual men and men who have sex with men. Demographic factors (age, education, and income), acculturation, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem were assessed using standardized instruments. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, and simple and multiple logistical regression. Differences in education, income, and self-esteem were noted across participants identifying as heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual. Bisexual Hispanic men had almost four times greater odds of reporting the perpetration of IPV than homosexual Hispanic men, even when differences in education, income, and self-esteem were controlled for (AOR = 3.92, 95%CI = 1.11, 14.19). This study suggests the importance of specifically targeting bisexual Hispanic men in IPV research and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary Depression is a common mental health condition among people living with HIV infection., About one third of the study's participants were depressed., A history of substance abuse and child/adult violence was common among the participants., Healthcare providers need awareness of the intersection of HIV, substance abuse, and violence among Hispanic men with HIV infection., Abstract Depression is a common mental health condition among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Depression influences quality of life, social relationships and adherence to medication therapy. Little is known about depression among Hispanic men with HIV infection. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the relationships of depression to other psychosocial factors (self-esteem, Hispanic stress, substance abuse and violence) and cultural factors (familism and Hispanic stress) among a sample of Hispanic men with HIV infection. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive research design a convenience sample of 46 Hispanic men with HIV infection was recruited and surveyed from the South Florida area of the USA. The majority of the participants (65%; n = 30) were depressed. In addition, the majority of participants reported high familism and self-esteem and low Hispanic stress. A history of substance abuse and childhood and adult violence were common. Significant relationships were noted between depression, and self-esteem, Hispanic stress, substance abuse, and adult physical violence. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the high rates of depression, substance abuse and violence that may occur among Hispanic men with HIV infection. More research is needed to further explore the relationship of these factors, as well as to determine the impact that these variables have on adherence to medication therapy among Hispanic men with HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the underlying syndemic factor comprising of substance abuse, violence, HIV risk, and depressive symptoms amongst Latinas in the United States. It offers information on the study methods and results, and discusses the measures and variables used, including socioeconomic disadvantage, violence and risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Also mentioned are the goals of the Healthy People 2010 and the Syndemic Model for Hispanics.

The demographics of the United States are rapidly changing as a result of immigration from Latin America. Predictions indicate that by the year 2050, one of every four persons in the United States will be of Hispanic ethnicity. If health disparities relating to substance abuse and related mental health conditions among Hispanics are not fully understood and addressed, these will continue grow along with this population. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the relationships among acculturation, depression, self-esteem, and substance abuse among a community sample of Hispanic men in South Florida ( N = 164, 82 heterosexual men and 82 men who have sex with men). Standardized instruments measuring acculturation, depression, self-esteem, and substance abuse were administered in English or Spanish in a face-to-face interview format. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to illustrate participant characteristics and test relationships among the variables. Despite the fact that the majority of participants were more acculturated to the Hispanic culture than US culture, reported low levels of education and income, were depressed, and used substances, this group of men reported high levels of self-esteem. However, age and depression were the only predictors of substance abuse. Acculturation and self-esteem were not predictors of substance abuse. Clinicians need to be aware of the high rates of depression and substance abuse in this population and screen frequently for signs and symptoms of depression and substance abuse during health care encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanic females are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Despite these disparities, research describing the cultural and gender-specific experiences of Hispanic women with regard to these conditions is lacking. The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences that Hispanic community-dwelling women have with regard to substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Eight focus groups with 81 women were conducted. A bilingual, bicultural moderator asked women open-ended questions regarding the experiences that Hispanic women have with these conditions. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, verified, and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants discussed substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors interchangeably, often identifying common risk factors associated with these. Nevertheless, intimate partner violence was the most salient of conditions discussed. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: Transplantadas en otro mundo (Uprooted in another world), El criador de abuso (The breeding ground of abuse), and Rompiendo el silencio (Breaking the silence). This study supports the importance of addressing substance abuse, violence, and risk for HIV in an integrated manner and stresses the importance of addressing associated cultural factors (e.g., acculturation, machismo ) in interventions targeting Hispanics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hispanic women (HW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, however, little is known regarding their perceived susceptibility for acquiring HIV (SAHIV). We studied predictive factors for perceiving SAHIV among HW. Participants (88.5%) reported not feeling SAHIV. Women who felt SAHIV, had a significant probability of reporting a higher chance for acquiring HIV from their partner's actions (OR 9.75), and a higher probability of not being tested for HIV (OR 2.05). Educational strategies to increase perception of SAHIV and HIV testing knowledge would be beneficial giving emphasis to women who do not perceive to be at risk from their partner's actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanics are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Although the relationship between these conditions has been documented in the literature, few studies have explored the intersection of these health problems and their culture-related risk factors in an integrative manner. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences that Hispanic heterosexual males in South Florida have with substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Three focus groups with a total of 25 Hispanic adult men are completed and analyzed using grounded theory. Three core categories emerge from the data. These include la cuna de problemas sociales (the cradle of social problems), ramas de una sola mata (branches from one same tree), and la mancha negra (the black stain). This study suggests that substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors are linked conditions with common cultural and socioenvironmental risk factors and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Salud, Educación, Prevención, y Autocuidad/Health, Education, Prevention and Self-care (SEPA) to increase human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention behaviors for Hispanic women delivered in a real-world setting.Design: Randomized controlled trial.Setting: Participants were recruited from the Miami Refugee Center, the Florida Department of Health, and public locations in Miami.Participants: Three hundred twenty Hispanic women.Intervention: The SEPA is a culturally tailored intervention developed to address HIV/STI risk behaviors among Hispanic women. The SEPA intervention consisted of three 2.5 hour sessions per week conducted with small groups. The SEPA sessions consisted of group discussions, role playing, negotiation skills, partner communication, and skills building as part of the methodology.Measures: Acculturation, HIV/STI risk behaviors, HIV knowledge, partner communication, intimate partner violence, drug/alcohol use, condom use.Analysis: Differences at baseline by group were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ2, and a negative-binomial model. Changes in dependent variables, compared to baseline, were analyzed in separate models. Log-binomial models and negative binomial models were used for dichotomous and count/rate-type dependent variables.Results: Significant outcome improvements were observed in the SEPA group at 6 and 12 months follow-up. The adjusted prevalence of any condom use was 30% and 37% higher at each follow-up. The adjusted prevalence of answering 10/12 HIV knowledge questions correctly rose by 57% and 63% at each follow-up. Intimate partner violence was significantly lower at each subsequent time point (62% and 41% of baseline). Moderate depressive symptoms were reduced to 50% and 42%, getting drunk was reduced to 20% and 30%, and condom use self-efficacy was significantly higher (84% and 96%).Conclusion: The SEPA intervention reduced HIV/STI risk-related behaviors when delivered in a real-world setting. The results suggest that SEPA can be implemented in various settings to reach Hispanic women, and that SEPA could reach large numbers of women in an efficient, cost-effective way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]