Search

Hispanic women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique disparities. They have poorer health outcomes and are less likely to seek help than their non-Hispanic counterparts. When women remain in relationships where IPV occurs and refuse to disclose or seek treatment, they may resort to self-silencing, which can also worsen health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop a theory that explains how self-silencing evolves among Hispanic women who experience IPV. Participants were recruited from two research studies focused on Hispanic women's health, and from snowball sampling, which involved referrals by previously registered participants. Data were collected via Zoom® and included individual interviews. A total of 25 women participated in this study. Analysis followed constructive grounded theory levels of analysis described by Charmaz and constant comparative methods described by Glaser and Strauss. A grounded theory entitled Bearing (Aguantando) With Intimate Partner Violence emerged from the data. The theory explains the main strategy Hispanic women use to deal with violence while remaining in a relationship where IPV occurs. The theory is constructed of four categories with subcategories. The results of this study provide an initial framework to understand the self-silencing process among Hispanic women who experience IPV. In addition, this study identifies different levels of interventions that can be useful for researchers and healthcare providers to promote Hispanic women's ability to become empowered, use their voices, and seek help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinas continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. Effective interventions to address HIV-related disparities among Latinas are available; however, they have not achieved widespread dissemination due to implementation challenges for real-world settings. A culturally tailored intervention that increases access to HIV prevention is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored telenovela (i.e., a soap opera) to promote HIV prevention behaviors (condom use; HIV testing; and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, access, and use) among Latinas. The study was conducted in community organizations throughout South Florida. A total of 44 Spanish-speaking Latinas, 18–35 years old, and sexually active with a man in the past 6 months participated in the study. The final product was an HIV prevention telenovela that incorporated Latinas' ideas and feedback and was produced as four 10-minute filmed episodes. This study aimed to develop innovative approaches to reduce HIV-related disparities for Latinas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of selected facilitators, barriers, beliefs, and knowledge suggested by the literature to be associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among heterosexual Hispanic women. Design: This study utilizes a cross‐sectional design to analyze secondary data from SEPA III: The Effectiveness Trial. SEPA stands for Salud, Educacion, Prevencion y Autocuidado, which translates to Health, Education, Prevention, and Self‐Care. The Social Cognitive Model (SCM) guided this study. Methods: Three hundred twenty heterosexual Hispanic women 18 to 50 years of age participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Findings: The most common facilitators for HIV testing were receiving recommendations from a healthcare provider (HCP) and the test is offered by an HCP rather than women asking for it. The most common barrier to testing was having no reason to believe they were infected. Most women believed a positive test result would encourage them to take better care of themselves. However, as much as 15% of women reported desires to kill or hurt themselves if they test positive. On the other hand, a negative result would make them assume their partners are negative and thus do not need to be tested. Significantly, explanatory variables related to HIV testing were knowledge and the HIV test is offered by an HCP instead of women asking for it. Conclusions: Strengthening HIV knowledge and offering HIV tests are significant contributions that nurses make to the health of Hispanic women. The SCM can be used to design programs to increase HIV testing among Hispanic women. Clinical Relevance: Nurses are encouraged to offer testing and provide culturally competent HIV prevention education to increase HIV testing among Hispanic women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterosexual anal intercourse is associated with increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Research on the social and psychological risk factors associated with heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse among Hispanic women in the USA is limited. We examined demographic, mental health, relationship power, sexual self-efficacy, self-esteem, acculturation and HIV knowledge as correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among 514 HIV-negative Hispanic women, 18 to 59 years of age, residing in one urban county in southern Florida. In both unadjusted and adjusted results, the likelihood of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse was associated with food insecurity in the past 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.40) and more interpersonal power attributed to the male partner (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.08, 2.45). Not significant, yet of possible importance, were ever having engaged in exchange sex (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 0.97, 3.98) and lower HIV knowledge (AOR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.63, 1.01). Interventions aimed at reducing heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse risk for HIV infection among Hispanic women may benefit by addressing socioeconomic and interpersonal issues, and assessing HIV knowledge and comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with non-Hispanic White women, Latina women are less likely to receive genetic counseling (GC) and testing (GT) following BC diagnosis. This study used secondary data analysis to explore beliefs about GC among Latina BC survivors in and outside the US mainland. GC/GT-naïve, high-risk, Spanish-preferring Latina BC survivors (n = 52) in FL and PR completed the Behavioral Beliefs about GC scale. Participants reported high positive beliefs about GC (M = 4.19, SD = 0.92); the majority agreed that GC was beneficial to understand cancer risk (90%) and promote discussion (87%) in their family. Participants reported low-to-moderate scores for barriers (Ms = 1.53-3.40; SDs = 0.59-0.90). The most frequently endorsed barriers were desire for additional GC information (M = 3.44; SD = 0.90), and GC logistic concerns (M = 2.71; SD = 0.80). No statistically significant differences for barriers and benefits scales were identified by place of residence (all ps ≥ 0.12). These findings highlight the importance of delivering culturally sensitive GC information to high-risk Latina BC survivors., (© 2022 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Back ground and Purpose: Measuring stress in Hispanic Americans, the fastest growing U.S. minority, is problematic. The Life Events Inventory (LEI) and the Daily Hassles Scale (DHS), widely used stress instruments, are not available in Spanish. Purpose: To test the psychometric properties of the translated Spanish versions of the LEI and DHS. Methods: A convenience sample of 63 Hispanic women completed both instruments in Spanish and English 2 weeks apart. Results: Internal consistency reliability and stability were strong for both instruments (.85-97). Reliability and validity evidence for the translated Spanish versions were strong and similar to the English version. Conclusions: Psychometric findings suggest that the newly translated Spanish versions are good representations of the English versions and that these newly translated instruments are ready for use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Physical inactivity and obesity are major U.S. health concerns. Hispanics have higher rates of obesity and lower incidence of meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations, however most studies on PA focus on non-Hispanic Whites. This study examined type and amount of physical activities, and their relationship to age, BMI, employment, and stress in adult female Hispanics. Data sources Sixty-three female Hispanics (mean age 34 years, SD = 10.5) were recruited in the Miami community. By BMI, of 47 women reporting both weight and height, 8.5% were underweight, 38.3% were normal weight, 27.2% were overweight, and 26.0% were obese. Women completed two instruments measuring PA and two measuring stress. Conclusions Attitudes toward PA were positive; greatest concerns were job security and finances not exercise. Leisure walking (14.3%) was the most common type of PA followed by activities watching TV (32.8%) and using video games (32.8%). Women with greater stress had higher BMIs and were less physically active ( p < .05). Implications for practice In this sample, exercise was not a main priority although 53% were overweight/obese. Stress related to employment and finances was a major concern. Interventions on stress reduction and incorporating exercise within their daily lives are important strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]