HIV Testing and Mistaken Beliefs about Immigration Laws.

Evidence suggests that migrants may underutilize USA health care because of misconceptions about immigration-related consequences of health care use. This study aimed to explore whether common misconceptions about the immigration consequences of seeking health care, receiving an HIV test, and being diagnosed with HIV were associated with participant self-report of never having received an HIV test. The study sample comprised 297 adult, sexually active, documented and undocumented Spanish-speaking Latino migrants. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey via ACASI. In multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic variables and HIV stigma, misconceptions about laws emerged as a strong predictor of never having received an HIV test (p < .001). Associations between participants' endorsement of misconceptions and their HIV testing history suggest that incorrect perceptions of laws do deter some subgroups of USA Latino migrants from HIV testing. Identifying misconceptions about negative immigration consequences of engaging in important health behaviors should be a community health research priority.

Building and Sustaining Community Capacity to Address Childhood Obesity: A 3-Year Mixed-Methods Case Study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board.

Guided by a community-based participatory research and systems-based approach, this 3-year mixed-methods case study describes the experiences and capacity development of a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) formed to adapt, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based childhood obesity treatment program in a medically underserved region. The CAB included community, public health, and clinical (n = 9) and academic partners (n = 9). CAB members completed capacity evaluations at 4 points. Partners identified best practices that attributed to the successful execution and continued advancement of project goals. The methodological framework and findings can inform capacity development and sustainability of emergent community-academic collaborations.

The Development and Psychometric Properties of the Immigration Law Concerns Scale (ILCS) for HIV Testing.

To develop, pilot test, and conduct psychometric analyses of an innovative scale measuring the influence of perceived immigration laws on Latino migrants' HIV-testing behavior. The Immigration Law Concerns Scale (ILCS) was developed in three phases: Phase 1 involved a review of law and literature, generation of scale items, consultation with project advisors, and subsequent revision of the scale. Phase 2 involved systematic translation- back translation and consensus-based editorial processes conducted by members of a bilingual and multi-national study team. In Phase 3, 339 sexually active, HIV-negative Spanish-speaking, non-citizen Latino migrant adults (both documented and undocumented) completed the scale via audio computer-assisted self-interview. The psychometric properties of the scale were tested with exploratory factor analysis and estimates of reliability coefficients were generated. Bivariate correlations were conducted to test the discriminant and predictive validity of identified factors. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor, 17-item scale. subscale reliability ranged from 0.72 to 0.79. There were significant associations between the ILCS and the HIV-testing behaviors of participants. Results of the pilot test and psychometric analysis of the ILCS are promising. The scale is reliable and significantly associated with the HIV-testing behaviors of participants. Subscales related to unwanted government attention and concerns about meeting moral character requirements should be refined.

One-Year Mixed-Methods Case Study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board Addressing Childhood Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Using a community-based participatory research and systems-based approach, the purpose of this community case study is to describe the planning process and first-year experiences of community-academic advisory board (CAB) partners involved with the development of an evidence-based childhood obesity treatment program in a medically underserved region. METHOD: Regional community partners ( n = 9; Pittsylvania/Danville Health District, Children's Healthcare Center, Danville Parks & Recreation, and Danville Boys & Girls Club) and academic partners ( n = 9) met monthly to select and adapt an evidence-based childhood obesity program, develop evaluation and recruitment protocols, and plan for program implementation. In the first 3 months, members developed a mixed-methods capacity evaluation, administered at 3 and 11 months following the first CAB meeting. RESULTS: Most capacity dimensions were rated highly and demonstrated no significant change over time. However, perceptions of trust approached a significant increase ( p = .055), the ability to resolve conflicts significantly increased ( p = .018), and participation and influ-ence perceptions significantly decreased ( p = .001). Qualitative analysis elucidated members' experiences and key facilitator and barrier themes emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities and differences between community and academic members' experiences allowed synthesis of best practices and lessons learned. The methodological framework and best practices can inform the capacity development for new community-academic collaborations.

A Review of Recent Literature on Trauma Among Individuals Living with HIV.

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) report disproportionately high levels of exposure to traumatic events in childhood and adulthood. Traumatic experiences are associated with negative health and behavioral outcomes. Current research in this area seeks to further explicate the myriad health effects of trauma on PLWH and the pathways through which trauma operates. In this paper, we review articles published in English between January 2014 and June 2015 that examine traumatic experiences among PLWH, including intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse, child abuse, and other forms of violence. A selection of studies examining trauma among PLWH and its associations with mental health, antiretroviral medication adherence, clinical outcomes, HIV disclosure, and sexual risk behaviors were included. Studies describing trauma coping strategies and interventions were also included. We conclude with recommendations for care of trauma-exposed PLWH and directions for future research.

Engaging the Dan River Region to reduce obesity: application of the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation process.

Despite ongoing recommendations to engage health-disparate populations in the initiation and execution of community-based research, few studies report on the process of community engagement. The action-oriented Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation (CPPE) process is designed to guide community health planning and evaluation. This article describes how the CPPE process was utilized within a community-based participatory research initiative aimed at addressing obesity in the health-disparate Dan River Region. Encouraging community engagement in formulating research agendas and promoting ownership of health solutions will be key to improving obesity risk factors among Dan River Region residents and similar vulnerable communities.