COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Perceptions, and Trust among Hispanics Residing in an Underserved Community.

The Borderplex region has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Borderplex residents live in low socioeconomic (SES) neighborhoods and lack access to COVID-19 testing. The purpose of this study was two-fold: first, to implement a COVID-19 testing program in the Borderplex region to increase the number of residents tested for COVID-19, and second, to administer a community survey to identify trusted sources of COVID-19 information and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. A total of 4071 community members were tested for COVID-19, and 502 participants completed the survey. COVID-19 testing resulted in 66.8% (n = 2718) positive cases. The community survey revealed that the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information were doctors or health care providers (67.7%), government websites (e.g., CDC, FDA, etc.) (41.8%), and the World Health Organization (37.8%). Logistic regression models revealed several statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake such as having a trusted doctor or health care provider, perceiving the COVID-19 vaccine to be effective, and perceiving that the COVID-19 vaccine does not cause side-effects. Findings from the current study highlight the need for utilizing an integrated, multifactorial approach to increase COVID-19 testing and to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in underserved communities.

Rapid Shift from SARS-CoV-2 Delta to Omicron Sub-Variants within a Dynamic Southern U.S. Borderplex.

COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains an ongoing global health challenge. This study analyzed 3641 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from the El Paso, Texas, community and hospitalized patients over 48 weeks from Fall 2021 to Summer 2022. The binational community along the U.S. southern border was predominantly SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) positive for a 5-week period from September 2021 to January 2022 and quickly transitioned to the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which was first detected at the end of December 2021. Omicron replaced Delta as the predominant detectable variant in the community and was associated with a sharp increase in COVID-19 positivity rate, related hospitalizations, and newly reported cases. In this study, Omicron BA.1, BA.4, and BA.5 variants were overwhelmingly associated with S-gene dropout by qRT-PCR analysis unlike the Delta and Omicron BA.2 variants. The study reveals that a dominant variant, like Delta, can be rapidly replaced by a more transmissible variant, like Omicron, within a dynamic metropolitan border city, necessitating enhanced monitoring, readiness, and response from public health officials and healthcare workers.

Impulsivity, Sexual Compulsivity, and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men in a US-Mexico Border City.

Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) experience HIV risk-related and mental health disparities. The relationship of mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms and anxiety) on sexual risk behaviors of HMSM has been reported. However, little is known about the influence of impulsivity and compulsivity on sexual risk behaviors. A cross-sectional study explored these factors among 150 HMSM in the El Paso, Texas area utilizing standardized measures, in a cross-sectional study. Regression analysis determined the influence of sexual impulsivity and compulsivity, and demographic variables on sexual risk behaviors, indicating interventions should target these behaviors to mitigate sexual risk among HMSM.

Accessing and Recruiting a Community-Based Sample of Men of Mexican Origin to Explore Intimate Partner Violence.

INTRODUCTION: Vulnerable populations are at greater risk for the burden of disease and negative health outcomes including alcohol abuse, high-risk sexual behavior, and intimate partner violence (IPV). Moreover, health disparities experienced by vulnerable populations are mediated by socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial factors. Risk factors for IPV perpetration are exacerbated by cultural and gender norms, particularly among men of Mexican origin. PURPOSE: To discuss research methods used in a community-based sample of men of Mexican origin and ways to overcome recruitment barriers through community engaged approaches. DISCUSSION: Barriers can impede sampling, recruitment, and enrollment of vulnerable populations (e.g., IPV) but can be overcome. Strategies include: qualitative research methods, identifying key informants, and community engagement approaches, such as listening to the concerns of the community, incorporating the community's knowledge to inform and improve the study, and building rapport to establish trust. CONCLUSION: Conducting research within vulnerable populations can be challenging but can be mitigated by incorporating multiple strategies. Thus, allowing researchers to gain access and valuable insight into traditionally underrepresented and understudied populations.

Reflections of Men of Mexican Origin: A Grounded Theory Study of Intimate Partner Violence Risk Factors.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a societal problem with many repercussions for the health care and judicial systems. In the United States, women of color are frequently affected by IPV and experience negative, physical, and mental ramifications. Increasing IPV perpetration and perpetration recurrence rates among men of Mexican origin (MMO) warrants a better understanding of unique risk factors that can only be described by these men. Qualitative studies regarding MMO and distinct IPV risk factors among this populace are few and infrequent. The purpose of this study was to describe IPV risk factors among men of MMO and to describe the process by which these men are able to overcome IPV perpetration risk factors. Fifty-six men of Mexican origin from a low-income housing community in far-west Texas were recruited for participation in audiotaped focus groups. Grounded theory (GT) methodology techniques were utilized to analyze, translate, and transcribe focus group data. Data collection ended when saturation occurred. Participants described risk factors for IPV. Emerging themes included: environment as a context, societal view of MMO, family of origin, normalcy, male and female contributing factors to IPV, and breaking through. Theme abstractions led to the midrange theory of Change Through Inspired Self-Reflection which describes the process of how MMO move from IPV perpetration to nonviolence. The results of the study provide insight on what MMO believe are IPV risk factors. There are implications for clinicians who provide services to MMO, and provide the impetus for future research among this population.

Strategies used to facilitate the discussion of advance care planning with older adults in primary care settings: A literature review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate strategies used in primary care settings to initiate advance care planning (ACP) conversations leading to the completion of an advance directive (AD). Approximately 50% of older adults have an AD; few talk to their primary care provider (PCP) about end-of-life wishes. The Institute of Medicine report and recent changes in Medicare reimbursement policies create opportunities for PCPs to address ACP in primary care settings. METHODS: We used a systematic review approach. The search included seven Elton B. Stephens Company databases, limited to English language and peer-reviewed publications from 1991 to 2017 using 10 key words. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions were educational materials using various methods of delivery, computer-generated triggers for PCPs, inclusion of multidisciplinary professionals for content delivery, and patient preparation for PCP visit. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The identified strategies provide a starting point for PCPs to consider increasing the ACP discussion with their patients. Primary care providers must create opportunities to meet the needs of their patients and their families. Established guidelines and reimbursement for ACP challenge PCPs to identify and contribute to the formulation of best practices to facilitate AD completion in primary care settings.

Risk Factors for Hispanic Male Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration.

The literature review analyzed 24 studies that explored male intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration risk factors among men, in particular Hispanics, using the socioecological model framework composed of four socioecological levels for violence prevention. Six databases were reviewed within the EBSCO search engine for articles published from 2000 to 2014. Articles reviewed were specific to risk factors for IPV perpetration among Hispanic men, focusing particularly on Mexican American men. Many key factors have previously been associated with risk for IPV perpetration; however, certain determinants are unique to Hispanics such as acculturation, acculturation stress, and delineated gender roles that include Machismo and Marianismo. These risk factors should be incorporated in future targeted prevention strategies and efforts and capitalize on the positive aspects of each to serve as protective factors.

The tipping point: intimate partner violence among hispanic women of mexican origin / El punto de inflexión: violencia de pareja entre las mujeres hispanas de origen mexicano

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an international public health problem. In the United States, IPV appears to be more prevalent among Hispanic women when compared to non-Hispanic women. Despite the body of research that focused on IPV among Hispanic women, no study could be located that describes how Hispanic women experiencing IPV decide to leave a relationship in which IPV is occurring. AIMS: the purpose of this study is to use qualitative methods to explore how Hispanic women of Mexican origin who have experienced IPV decided to leave the relationship in which IPV occurred. METHODS: fifty-nine women of Mexican origin were recruited from a low-income housing authority complex in El Paso, TX to participate in audiotaped focus groups. Data from the focus groups were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory (GT) methodology. Data were collected until saturation was achieved. RESULTS: participants were able to describe a process whereby they decided to leave a relationship in which IPV was occurring. The process included the categories of the shadow of violence, Vulnerability, Normalizing violence, the Tipping point, Lucidity, and Escaping the shadow of violence. CONCLUSIONS: the results of the study provided some important clinical implications for nurses providing care to Hispanic women experiencing IPV, or Hispanic women at risk for IPV. Results of this study provide directions for future research focused on the unique experiences of Hispanic women of Mexican origin in the context of IPV.

La violencia de pareja es un problema de salud pública. En los Estados Unidos parece ser más frecuente entre las mujeres hispanas, en comparación con las mujeres no hispanas. A pesar de la cantidad de investigaciones focalizadas en violencia de pareja entre las mujeres hispanas, no se encontró ningún estudio que describa cómo las mujeres hispanas que experimentan violencia de pareja deciden abandonar una relación de este tipo. OBJETIVOS: el objetivo de este estudio es utilizar métodos cualitativos para explorar cómo las mujeres hispanas de origen mexicano que han experimentado violencia de pareja decidieron terminar con la relación de pareja. MÉTODOS: investigación cualitativa, con grupos focales cuyos participantes fueron cincuenta y nueve mujeres de origen mexicano reclutadas en un complejo de viviendas de bajos ingresos en El Paso, TX. Los grupos focales que se grabaron en video. Los datos de los grupos focales fueron transcritos y analizados utilizando la metodología de la teoría fundamentada y se recogieron hasta que se alcanzó la saturación. RESULTADOS: los participantes fueron capaces de describir el proceso por el que decidieron dejar una relación en la que se estaba produciendo violencia de pareja. El proceso incluye las categorías de la sombra de la violencia, la vulnerabilidad, normalización de la violencia, el punto de inflexión, la lucidez, y escapar de la sombra de la violencia. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados del estudio proporcionan algunas implicaciones clínicas importantes para las enfermeras que atienden a las mujeres hispanas que experimentan violencia de pareja, o las mujeres hispanas en riesgo de maltrato. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionan directrices para futuras investigaciones.