Association between HIV Perceived Risk and Intimate Partner Violence among Women / Asociación entre Percepción de Riesgo de VIH y Violencia de Pareja en Mujeres

Abstract HIV risk perception and Intimate partner violence (IPV) are related to HIV infection in women. However, there is a lack of information regarding on the association between risk perception and IPV in the Mexican population. This study aimed to identify and characterize subgroups based on their risk perception through the analysis of latent classes and to evaluate the variables associated with HIV risk perception. An online survey was conducted to assess sexual and preventive behavior, HIV risk perception, and intimate partner violence. Three hundred thirty-two women participated; the sampling was for convenience. Two latent classes were identified: a group with risk perception (85%) and one without risk perception (14.6%). The variables associated with the risk perception were a sexual attraction to men, not having a stable partner, perceiving oneself as at risk of acquiring HIV due to sexual behavior, and the presence of IPV. HIV prevention programs for women must address the stigmas related to HIV, such as the idea that the risk only occurs when they have multiple sexual partners, promote accurate HIV risk perception and prevent IPV in all its expressions and contexts.

Resumen En mujeres, la violencia de pareja está relacionada a una mayor probabilidad de adquirir la infección por VIH. De igual forma, una inadecuada percepción de riesgo de adquirir el virus coloca a las mujeres en una situación vulnerable. Existe una falta de información ente la asociación de la VPI y la percepción de riesgo es mujeres mexicanas. Este estudio persiguió dos objetivos: el primero fue identificar y caracterizar subgrupos en función de su percepción de riesgo a través del análisis de clases latentes; el segundo objetivo consistió en evaluar las variables asociadas con la percepción de riesgo de VIH. Se realizó una encuesta en línea para evaluar el comportamiento sexual y preventivo, la percepción del riesgo de VIH y la VP. Participaron 332 mujeres; el muestreo fue por conveniencia. Se identificaron dos clases latentes: un grupo con percepción de riesgo (85%) y otro sin percepción de riesgo (14,6%). Las variables asociadas a la percepción de riesgo fueron atracción sexual por hombres, no tener pareja estable, percibirse en riesgo de adquirir el VIH por la conducta sexual y haber sufrido de violencia de pareja en los últimos seis meses. Se concluye que los programas de prevención del VIH para mujeres deben abordar los estigmas relacionados con el VIH, como la idea de que el riesgo solo ocurre cuando tienen múltiples parejas sexuales, promover una percepción precisa del riesgo del VIH y principalmente, prevenir la VP en todas sus expresiones y contextos; así como también dar atención personalizada a mujeres que ya sufren de violencia de pareja.

Preferences for PrEP modalities among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men from Brazil, Mexico, and Peru: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) scale-up is urgent to reduce new HIV cases among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Latin America. Different PrEP modalities may increase PrEP uptake and adherence, especially among young MSM. Objectives: To assess preferences for PrEP modalities among MSM from Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. Design: Cross-sectional web-based study (March-May 2018) targeting MSM through advertisements on Grindr, Hornet, and Facebook. We included MSM aged ⩾ 18 years and who reported HIV-negative status. Methods: We assessed preferences for PrEP modalities with the following question: 'Considering that all following PrEP modalities were available, which one would you prefer considering a scale from 1 to 3 (1 = most preferred): daily oral PrEP, event-driven PrEP (ED-PrEP), and long-acting injectable PrEP'. We assessed factors associated with each most preferred PrEP modality per country using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 19,457 MSM completed the questionnaire (Brazil: 58%; Mexico: 31%; Peru: 11%); median age was 28 years [interquartile range (IQR): 24-34]. Overall, injectable PrEP was the most preferred modality [42%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 41-43], followed by daily PrEP (35%; 95% CI: 34-35), and ED-PrEP (23%; 95% CI: 23-24). In multivariable models, preferring injectable PrEP was associated with PrEP awareness in all three countries, while PrEP eligibility only in Brazil. Preferring daily PrEP was associated with younger age and lower income in Brazil and Mexico, and lower education only in Brazil. The odds of preferring ED-PrEP were lower among MSM aware and eligible for PrEP in Brazil and Mexico. Conclusions: Long-acting injectable PrEP was the preferred PrEP modality among MSM in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, especially those aware and eligible for PrEP. Public health interventions to increase PrEP modalities literacy and availability in Latin America are urgent especially among MSM of young age, lower income, and lower education.

Willingness to Recommend Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Among Mexican Non-Physician Health Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has recently been introduced in Mexico. Still, there are no data exploring the frequency and related factors of willingness to recommend it among non-physician health providers (Non-PHP). OBJECTIVE: Compare awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to recommend PrEP and combined HIV prevention among Mexican non-PHP. METHODS: We conducted an online survey assessing data on sociodemographics, awareness, knowledge, and willingness to recommend PrEP. We performed a descriptive and comparative analysis between those willing and unwilling to recommend PrEP. RESULTS: The final sample was 142 participants, and most were willing to recommend PrEP (79.6%). This group reported higher confidence in evaluating PrEP eligibility (90.1%, p<.01), identified that populations at increased risk of HIV would benefit the most from PrEP (p≤.05), and considered the lack of professionals to prescribe PrEP as a barrier (60.7%, p<.01), and were more likely to recommend post-exposure prophylaxis (95.6%, p<.01) compared to those not willing to recommend PrEP. On the other hand, more non-PHP unwilling to recommend PrEP considered that behavioral interventions should be prioritized over PrEP (89.3%, p<.05), PrEP should not be provided in public services (43.3%, p<.001), and the demand of PrEP users would be low to maintain PrEP as a public policy (34.5%, p<.05). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of Mexican non-PHP is willing to recommend PrEP. Still, it is necessary to increase their PrEP knowledge, including improving their prejudices and beliefs, so they can identify and refer potential PrEP users based on their risk of getting HIV.

HIV Risk Perception and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness Among Transgender Women from Mexico.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with HIV risk perception among Mexican transgender women (TGW). This cross-sectional survey was conducted online and at a public HIV clinic in Mexico City. Participants were ≥ 18 years old, self-identified as TGW, and reported not living with HIV. They answered questions on sexual behavior, HIV risk perception, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness. We performed a multivariate logistic regression to accomplish the study's objective. One hundred ninety-one TGW completed the survey. High HIV risk perception was associated with > 5 sexual partners, condomless receptive anal sex, sex with a male partner(s) of unknown HIV status, and PrEP awareness. Although most TGW reported low HIV risk perception, over half had risk sexual behavior, reflecting inaccurate risk assessment. Future interventions to improve accurate risk perception among TGW should promote HIV transmission and prevention knowledge and increase PrEP awareness and uptake.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los factores asociados con la percepción de riesgo al VIH entre las mujeres trans (MT) mexicanas. El reclutamiento de esta encuesta transversal se realizó en línea y en una clínica pública de VIH en la Ciudad de México. Las participantes tenían ≥ 18 años, se autoidentificaron como MT y reportaron no vivir con VIH. Respondieron preguntas sobre su comportamiento sexual, percepción del riesgo al VIH y conocimiento de la profilaxis preexposición (PrEP). Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística multivariado para cumplir con el objetivo del estudio. Ciento noventa y uno participantes completaron la encuesta. La percepción de alto riesgo al VIH se asoció con > 5 parejas sexuales, sexo anal receptivo sin condón, sexo con una pareja masculina de estado serológico desconocido y conocimiento de la PrEP. Aunque la mayoría de las MT informaron baja percepción del riesgo al VIH, más de la mitad reportaron conductas sexuales de riesgo, lo que refleja una evaluación de riesgo inexacta. Futuras intervenciones para mejorar la percepción precisa del riesgo entre las MT deben centrarse en promover el conocimiento de transmisión y la prevención del VIH, así como aumentar el conocimiento y la aceptación de la PrEP.

Efficacy of a transdiagnostic guided internet-delivered intervention for emotional, trauma and stress-related disorders in Mexican population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Emotional and stress-related disorders show high incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and comorbidity rates in Mexico. In recent decades, research findings indicate that cognitive behavioral interventions, from a disorder-specific perspective, are the effective front-line treatment for anxiety and depression care. However, these treatments are not often used. Reasons include limited access and low availability to effective interventions and comorbidity between mental disorders. Emotional deregulation of negative affectivity has been found to be a mediating factor in addressing emotional disorders from a transdiagnostic perspective, aimed at two or more specific disorders. In addition, technological advancement has created alternatives for psychological assistance, highlighting the possibilities offered by technologies since Internet-supported intervention programs have been empirically tested for effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy and can be key to ensuring access to those who are inaccessible. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy, moderators of clinical change and acceptability of a transdiagnostic guided Internet-delivered intervention versus a transdiagnostic self-guided Internet-delivered intervention for emotional, trauma and stress-related disorders, and waiting list in community sample. METHODS: A three-armed, parallel group, superiority randomized controlled clinical trial with repeated measurements at four times: pretest, posttest, follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Outcomes assessor, participant, care provider and investigator will be blinded. Participants aged 18 to 70 years will be randomly allocated 1:1:1 to one of three study arms: a) Transdiagnostic guided internet-delivered intervention with synchronous assistance, b) Transdiagnostic self-guided internet-delivered intervention, c) Waiting list group. Based on sample size estimation, a minimum of 207 participants (69 in each intervention group) will be included. DISCUSSION: The study could contribute to improving the efficacy of transdiagnostic internet-delivered interventions to promote the dissemination of evidence-based treatments and eventually, to decrease the high prevalence of emotional and trauma-related disorders in the Mexican population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT05225701 . Registered February 4, 2022.

Awareness, knowledge, and attitudes related to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and other prevention strategies among physicians from Brazil and Mexico: cross-sectional web-based survey.

BACKGROUND: In order to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, combination HIV prevention including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be widely available, especially for the most vulnerable populations. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), only 14 out of 46 countries have access to PrEP. In Brazil and Mexico, PrEP has been provided at no cost through the Public Health System since 2017 and 2021, respectively. Thus, HIV physicians' perspectives about PrEP and other prevention strategies may differ. This study aimed to compare awareness, knowledge, and attitudes related to PrEP and other prevention strategies among HIV physicians from Brazil and Mexico. METHODS: Cross-sectional, web-based survey targeting physicians who prescribe antiretrovirals from both countries. Participants answered questions on socio-demographic, medical experience, awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards PrEP and other HIV prevention strategies. We stratified all variables per country and compared frequencies using Chi-square, Fisher exact, and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. RESULTS: From January-October 2020, 481 HIV physicians were included: 339(70.5%) from Brazil, 276(57.4%) male, and median age was 43 years (IQR = 36-53). Awareness of PrEP did not differ between Brazil and Mexico (84.6%), while awareness of other prevention strategies, including post-exposure prophylaxis and new PrEP technologies, was higher in Brazil. More Brazilians perceived U=U as completely accurate compared to Mexicans (74.0% vs. 62.0%, P < .001). Willingness to prescribe PrEP was 74.2%, higher among Brazilians (78.2%, P = .01). Overall, participants had concerns about consistent access to PrEP medication and the risk of antiretroviral resistance in case of acute HIV infection or seroconversion. The main barriers reported were assumptions that users could have low PrEP knowledge (62.0%) or limited capacity for adherence (59.0%). Compared to Brazilians, Mexicans reported more concerns and barriers to PrEP prescription (all; P ≤ .05), except for consistent access to PrEP medication and the lack of professionals to prescribe PrEP (both; P ≤ .01). CONCLUSIONS: Although awareness of PrEP was similar in Brazil and Mexico, differences in knowledge and attitudes may reflect the availability and stage of PrEP implementation in these countries. Strengthening and increasing information on PrEP technologies and other HIV prevention strategies among HIV physicians could improve their comfort to prescribe these strategies and facilitate their scale-up in LAC.

Awareness, willingness and barriers to HIV Self-testing (HIVST) among Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru: A web-based cross-sectional study.

HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an essential tool within the combined HIV prevention package and has been available in Latin America since 2015. However, HIVST use among key populations remains low. This study describes awareness, willingness, and barriers to HIVST among MSM in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. A cross-sectional web-based survey was advertised in two geosocial networking apps (Grindr and Hornet) and Facebook in 2018. We included cisgender men ≥18 years old who self-reported HIV-negative status. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) to assess the factors associated with willingness to use HIVST for each country. A total of 18,916 completed the survey, 59% from Brazil, 30% from Mexico, and 11% from Peru. Overall, 20% of MSM had never tested for HIV. Awareness and willingness to use HIVST were higher in Brazil than in Peru and Mexico (p < .001). Across the countries, the patterns of association of willingness with HIVST barriers were similar. Most participants think post-test counseling is essential and that dealing with a positive result would be difficult (aPR 1.13 to 1.37, range of aPRs across the three countries). Having the knowledge to deal with a positive HIVST resulted in increased willingness to use HIVST (aPR range: 1.11 to 1.22), while a lack of trust in HIVST compared to HIV testing in clinics was inversely associated (aPR range: 0.80 to 0.90). In general, willingness to use HIVST was associated with higher income (aPR range: 1.49 to 1.97), higher education (aPR range: 1.13 to 1.42), and willingness to use PrEP (aPR range: 1.19 to 1.72). Efforts to increase HIVST knowledge and resolve perceived barriers are warranted, especially among MSM with lower income and education from Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. Personalized virtual counseling could be crucial among this population. In addition, those willing to use HIVST are also willing to use PrEP. It indicates that HIVST delivery could be incorporated into PrEP programs within the Brazilian Public Health System and eventually in Mexico and Peru.

Are men who have sex with men at higher risk for HIV in Latin America more aware of PrEP?

INTRODUCTION: PrEP awareness in Latin America has been poorly characterized, with studies in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru highlighting awareness of 65% among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). We assessed the association between higher risk of HIV infection, indicative of PrEP eligibility, and PrEP awareness among MSM from these countries. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a web-based survey advertised on social media platforms from March-June 2018 in Brazil, Mexico and Peru. Eligible individuals were cisgender MSM, ≥18 years old, HIV negative or of unknown status, who lived in these countries, and provided informed consent. Higher risk of HIV infection was defined as having 10 or more points in the HIV Risk Index for MSM (HIRI-MSM). We used multivariable Poisson regression models to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) testing the association between higher risk for HIV and PrEP awareness. RESULTS: After exclusions, 19,457 MSM were included in this analysis. In Brazil, 53.8% were classified as higher risk for HIV, 51.9% in Mexico, and 54.2% in Peru. Higher risk for HIV was minimally associated with PrEP awareness among those in Brazil (aPR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06), but no such association was observed in Mexico or Peru. Having more than a high school education, high income, daily use of geosocial networking (GSN) applications, and substance use were associated with PrEP awareness. CONCLUSION: Higher risk of HIV infection was associated with increased PrEP awareness in Brazil. However, this association was weak indicating that PrEP awareness could be strengthened with further prevention efforts. In the remaining countries, results were non-conclusive between risk and awareness. Interventions to increase PrEP awareness are paramount to increase PrEP willingness and uptake and in turn prevent new HIV infections. Social media platforms could play an important role to achieve this goal.

Low socioeconomic status is associated with self-reported HIV positive status among young MSM in Brazil and Peru.

BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to stop HIV epidemic in Latin America, new HIV cases continue to increase in the region especially among young MSM (YMSM). This study aims to assess if sociodemographic characteristics are associated with self-reported HIV positive status among YMSM from three Latin American countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional web-based survey advertised on dating apps (Grindr and Hornet) and Facebook in Brazil, Mexico and Peru. For this analysis, we included YMSM aged 18-24 years who self-reported their HIV status. We used multivariable logistic regression models for each country separately to verify if sociodemographic characteristics (race, education and income) were associated with HIV self-reported status after adjusting for behavior characteristics (sexual attraction and steady partner). RESULTS: Among 43,687 MSM who initiated the questionnaire, 27,318 (62.5%) reported their HIV status; 7001 (25.6%) of whom were YMSM. Most YMSM (83.4%) reported an HIV test in the past year, and 15.7% reported an HIV positive status in Peru, 8.4% in Mexico and 7.7% in Brazil. In adjusted models, low-income was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status in Brazil (aOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.01-1.75) and Peru (aOR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.02-2.40), but not in Mexico. Lower education was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status only in Brazil (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.05-1.75). CONCLUSIONS: In this large, cross-country study, self-reported HIV positive status among YMSM was high. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher odds of self-reported HIV positive status in Brazil and Peru. There is an urgent need for HIV prevention interventions targeting YMSM, and efforts to address low-income YMSM are especially needed in Peru and Brazil.

Authorship Correction: Factors Associated With Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru: Web-Based Survey Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/13771.].

Factors Associated With Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru: Web-Based Survey Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND: HIV disproportionally affects key populations including men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV prevalence among MSM varies from 17% in Brazil and Mexico to 13% in Peru, whereas it is below 0.5% for the general population in each country. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine/tenofovir is being implemented in the context of combination HIV prevention. Reports on willingness to use PrEP among MSM have started to emerge over the last few years. Previously reported factors associated with willingness to use PrEP include awareness, higher sexual risk behavior, and previous sexually transmitted infection. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with willingness to use daily oral PrEP among MSM in 3 Latin American, middle-income countries (Brazil, Mexico, and Peru). METHODS: This Web-based, cross-sectional survey was advertised in 2 gay social network apps (Grindr and Hornet) used by MSM to find sexual partners and on Facebook during 2 months in 2018. Inclusion criteria were being 18 years or older, cisgender men, and HIV-negative by self-report. Eligible individuals answered questions on demographics, behavior, and PrEP (awareness, willingness to use, barriers, and facilitators). Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to assess the factors associated with willingness to use daily oral PrEP in each country. RESULTS: From a total sample of 43,687 individuals, 44.54% of MSM (19,457/43,687) were eligible and completed the Web-based survey-Brazil: 58.42% (11,367/19,457), Mexico: 30.50% (5934/19,457), and Peru: 11.08% (2156/19,457); median age was 28 years (interquartile range: 24-34), and almost half lived in large urban cities. Most participants were recruited on Grindr (69%, 13,349/19,457). Almost 20% (3862/19,352) had never tested for HIV, and condomless receptive anal sex was reported by 40% (7755/19,326) in the previous 6 months. Whereas 67.51% (13,110/19,376) would be eligible for PrEP, only 9.80% (1858/18,959) of participants had high HIV risk perception. PrEP awareness was reported by 64.92% (12,592/19,396); this was lower in Peru (46.60%, 1002/2156). Overall, willingness to use PrEP was reported by 64.23% (12,498/19,457); it was highest in Mexico (70%, 4158/5934) and lowest in Peru (58%, 1241/2156). In multivariate regression models adjusted for age, schooling, and income in each country, willingness to use PrEP was positively associated with PrEP awareness and PrEP facilitators (eg, free PrEP and HIV testing) and negatively associated with behavioral (eg, concerned by daily pill regimen) and belief barriers (eg, sexual partners may expect condomless sex). CONCLUSIONS: In this first cross-country, Web-based survey in Latin America, willingness to use PrEP was found to be high and directly related to PrEP awareness. Interventions to increase awareness and PrEP knowledge about safety and efficacy are crucial to increase PrEP demand. This study provides important information to support the implementation of PrEP in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru.

Necesidades y sobrecarga en cuidadores primarios informales de pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico / Needs and overload on primary informal caregivers burden of patients with head injury

El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la relación entre la sobrecarga y las necesidades de los cuidadores primarios informales de pacientes que sufrieron traumatismo craneoencefálico. En una muestra no probabilística se aplicaron dos instrumentos a 64 cuidadores primarios que miden las necesidades (cuestionario de necesidades familiares) y sobrecarga (entrevista de sobrecarga del cuidador de Zarit), bajo un diseño transversal correlacional. Los resultados no mostraron diferencias significativas entre las categorías de las variables sociodemográficas, perosí presentaron relevancia práctica en las variables de sobrecarga, importancia de necesidades y satisfacción de necesidades. Estos resultados parecen sugerir la posibilidad de guiar estrategias de intervención hacia la satisfacción de necesidades de soporte emocional e instrumental con el objetivo de disminuir la sobrecarga en el cuidador primario informal y favorecer la calidad de vida; no obstante, es importante validar estos resultados en muestras de mayor tamaño que permitan generalizar los hallazgos.

The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between the overload and the needs of primary informal caregivers of patients suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In a non-probability sample, two instruments were applied to 64 primary caregivers measuring needs (family needs questionnaire) and overload (interview Zarit caregiver's burden), under a correlational cross-sectional design.The results showed no significant differences between categories of socio demographic variables, but had considerable practical relevance in relation to the variables of overload, importance of needs and satisfaction needs. These results seem to suggest the possibility of guiding intervention strategies towards meeting needs of emotional and instrumental support in order to reduce the burden on informal primary caregiver and promote the quality of life, however, it is important to validate these findings in larger samples that discard the possible influence of chance.

Connecting family needs and TBI caregiver mental health in Mexico City, Mexico.

PURPOSE: This study examined relationships between caregiver mental health and the extent to which needs were met in families of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Mexico City, Mexico. METHOD: Sixty-eight TBI caregivers completed Spanish versions of instruments assessing their own mental health and whether specific family needs were met. RESULTS: Twenty-seven per cent of caregivers reported clinically significant depression levels, 40% reported below-average life satisfaction and 49% reported mild-to-severe burden. Several of the most frequently met family needs were in the emotional support domain, whereas the majority of unmet needs were in the health information domain. Family needs and caregiver mental health were significantly and highly related. When family needs were met, caregiver mental health was better. The strongest pattern of connections in multivariate analyses was between family instrumental support (assistance in the completion of daily life tasks) and caregiver burden, such that caregivers with less instrumental support had greater burden. Additional results suggested that instrumental support uniquely predicted caregiver satisfaction with life, burden and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions for TBI caregivers, especially in Latin America, should help family members determine how best to meet their health information and instrumental needs, with the former being likely to improve caregiver mental health.

Using multiple views of family dynamics to predict the mental health of individuals with TBI and their caregivers in Mexico.

PURPOSE: To examine differences in ratings of family dynamics between individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family caregivers in Mexico, as well as differences in the prediction of caregiver and patient mental health outcomes from those ratings. METHOD: Forty-two patient-caregiver dyads (n = 84) from the National Institute of Rehabilitation in México City participated in a comprehensive evaluation of their family dynamics and mental health. RESULTS: Patients' and caregivers' ratings of family dynamics were significantly correlated and did not differ across five of six types of family dynamics, but caregivers rated their family's level of empathy higher than patients, p < 0.001. Additionally, all patient and caregiver ratings of family dynamics were significantly correlated. Patients', caregivers', and combined (using structural equation modeling latent constructs) ratings of family dynamics robustly predicted four times as many caregiver mental health outcomes as patient mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Family dynamics influence both TBI patient and caregiver mental health but much more so in caregivers. Research on families of individuals with TBI in Mexico should incorporate both patient and caregiver perspectives to more comprehensively depict the environment in which TBI rehabilitation occurs.

Exploring the connections between traumatic brain injury caregiver mental health and family dynamics in Mexico City, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the patterns of family dynamics that are most associated with the mental health of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caregivers from Mexico. It was hypothesized that healthier family dynamics would be associated with better caregiver mental health. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of self-reported data collected from TBI caregivers through the Mexican National Institute of Rehabilitation in Mexico City, Mexico, the premier public medical facility in Mexico that provides rehabilitation services to patients with various disabilities. SETTING: One public outpatient medical and rehabilitation facility. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight caregivers of individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI from Mexico City, Mexico, were related to an individual with TBI who was ≥3 months after injury, a primary caregiver for ≥3 months, familiar with the patient's history, and without neurologic or psychiatric conditions. The average (standard deviation) age of caregivers was 50.94 ± 12.85 years), and 82% were women. METHODS: The caregivers completed Spanish versions of instruments that assessed their own mental health and family dynamics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes assessed included family dynamics (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-Fourth Edition; Family Communication Scale; Family Satisfaction Scale; Family Assessment Device-General Functioning; and Relationship-Focused Coping Scale), and caregiver mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Zarit Burden Interview, and Satisfaction with Life Scale). RESULTS: Results of canonical correlation analyses suggested that caregiver mental health and family dynamics were positively related, with a large effect size. Caregivers with high family satisfaction and cohesion tended to have a low burden and high satisfaction with life. In addition, caregiver depression and burden were positively related to each other and were both inversely related to caregiver satisfaction with life. CONCLUSIONS: TBI caregiver interventions in Latino populations would likely benefit from including programming or techniques to improve family dynamics, especially family cohesion, given the strong potentially reciprocal influence of these dynamics on caregiver mental health.

Moderated mediation path analysis of Mexican traumatic brain injury patient social functioning, family functioning, and caregiver mental health.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the system of connections among traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient social functioning, family functioning, and caregiver depression and burden in Mexico. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A public medical facility. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican TBI patient-caregiver dyads (N=84) participated in this study. Most of the patients with TBI were men (81%), with an average age ± SD of 38.83±13.44 years. The majority of caregivers (86%) were women, with an average age ± SD of 51.74±11.29. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes assessed included family functioning (Family Satisfaction Scale), patient social functioning (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and caregiver mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Zarit Burden Interview). RESULTS: A moderated mediation path model found that patient social functioning and family functioning predicted caregiver burden, and caregiver burden mediated the effect of family functioning on caregiver depression. Caregivers with strong family functioning tended to have low burden, no matter the level of patient social functioning. This path model provided an excellent fit and explained 47% of the variance in caregiver burden and 36% of the variance in caregiver depression. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, strong family functioning is an important buffer in the relationship between TBI patient social functioning deficits and caregiver mental health, especially because familism is a core value in Latino culture. Rehabilitation interventions designed to strengthen family functioning may improve caregiver mental health, thereby influencing the quality of informal care that caregivers are able to provide.

Balancing act: the influence of adaptability and cohesion on satisfaction and communication in families facing TBI in Mexico.

Much of what is known about family functioning in the face of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is based on research conducted in the United States. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the levels of family adaptability, cohesion, communication, and satisfaction as reported by Mexican TBI survivors and their family caregivers, (2) test the hypothesis of the Circumplex Model that balanced families would exhibit better communication and greater satisfaction, and (3) explore how TBI survivors' and their family caregivers' perceptions of family adaptability and cohesion influenced their own and the other's perceptions of family communication and satisfaction. In the majority of dyads, both the TBI survivor and the family caregiver endorsed balanced family adaptability and cohesion. Both TBI survivors and their family caregivers reported a relatively high level of family communication and satisfaction. TBI survivors and family caregivers who reported greater levels of family adaptability and cohesion also endorsed better family communication and greater family satisfaction. In addition, individuals with TBI whose family caregiver endorsed balanced family adaptability and cohesion reported better family communication. Further, family caregivers of TBI survivors who reported balanced family adaptability and cohesion reported better family communication. Implications for research and practice are discussed.