PROGRESO-II: Developing Culturally Tailored Materials for a Social Network-Based Intervention to Promote HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation Among Latina Seasonal Farmworkers.

Latina Seasonal Farmworkers (LSFW) in South Florida are a community affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to cultural barriers, stigma, and lack of awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Building on the PROGRESO study, this study sought to: (1) develop and pre-test scientifically supported and culturally tailored PrEP materials for PROGRESO and (2) assess the acceptability of these PrEP materials by LSFW who use alcohol and/or drugs. PrEP messages were selected based on a literature review, feedback from experts working on PrEP programs, and recommendations from a four-member scientific expert panel through a two-level Delphi method. A culturally tailored PrEP presentation was developed and presented to sixteen LSFW, who engaged in four focus groups. Materials were modified based on participants' suggestions. Thematic analysis was used to assess the acceptability and usability of these materials in the LSFW community. Participants responded positively to the PrEP messages and understood their importance for Latinx communities. Participants felt empowered and comfortable enough with the information to distribute the messages to partners, children, and friends with the aid of a physical pamphlet or flyer. A strong cultural context of familialismo and confianza was present in comments made by our participants. This study has the potential to increase LSFW's PrEP awareness and initiation. Future studies may implement a hybrid-interview approach, allowing individuals to self-select into a virtual or in-person focus group. Such flexibility may increase participation and discussion by allowing participants to attend in a format they are most comfortable with, as noted by participants in this study.

Comorbidities in a sample of adults with HIV in Puerto Rico: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Puerto Rico is among the areas with the highest estimated rates of people living with HIV in the United States. Despite the epidemiologic data available, there is limited real-world information that can help understand the comorbidities of people with HIV. In this study, we describe common comorbidities among adults with HIV attending treatment clinics in Puerto Rico. METHODS: An exploratory, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at five HIV clinics in Puerto Rico. A random sample of medical records was reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics, morbidity, and clinical characteristics. Multivariate analyses were conducted to explore comorbidities by age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 250 (179 men; 71 women) medical records were reviewed. Participants' mean age was 47.9 years and on average they had been living with HIV for 9 years. Most (97.6%) had at least one comorbidity. The most common comorbidities were dyslipidemia and hypertension. Men were more likely to have been diagnosed with alcohol misuse while women were more likely to have been diagnosed with obesity, human papillomavirus (HPV), hypothyroidism, and osteoporosis. Participants younger than 50 years of age were more likely to have history of alcohol misuse while older individuals (50 years and old) were more likely to have been diagnosed with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Adjusting by sex and age, women were more likely to have been diagnosed with obesity and depression and those older than 50 years were more likely to have had a diagnosis of dyslipidemia, hypertension, HPV, and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few studies assessing comorbidities among adults with HIV in Puerto Rico, among Latino/Hispanics within the United States, and Latin America. Consistent with other studies, cardiovascular diseases are common among adults with HIV in Puerto Rico. Findings support the need for awareness and real-world evidence about comorbidities among people with HIV when implementing screenings and prescribing drugs.