Multidimensional Frailty, Quality of Life and Self-Management in Aging Hispanics Living With HIV.

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to examine multidimensional frailty and its potential impact on quality of life (QOL) in aging Hispanic people living with HIV (PLWH) and assess the extent to which HIV self-management moderates this association. The sample included 120 Hispanic PLWH aged 50 years and older (M = 59.11; SD = 7.04). The structural equation modeling analyses demonstrated that multidimensional frailty was significantly related to QOL in its two dimensions, physical and mental (p < .001). The relationship between multidimensional frailty and mental and physical QOL remained significant even after controlling for confounders (age and gender). The moderator analyses indicated no statistically significant moderator effect of HIV self-management on multidimensional frailty and mental or physical QOL. These study results have practical implications that highlight the need for early screening for frailty with a multidimensional focus. Age-appropriate and culturally tailored interventions to prevent or mitigate multidimensional frailty may improve QOL.

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.

Depression, Self-Esteem, and Childhood Abuse Among Hispanic Men Residing in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

Hispanics experience health disparities in mental health and HIV infection when compared to non-Hispanic Whites, which may be related to childhood abuse. The purpose of our cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse and depressive symptoms in a sample of Hispanic men (N = 103) living in a metropolitan U.S.-Mexico border area. Secondarily, we examined the role of self-esteem in mediating this relationship, and the moderating role of sexual orientation. Gay/bisexual men (n = 53) were more likely to report childhood abuse than heterosexual (n = 50) counterparts (47.2% vs. 32%). Self-esteem mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and depression for men who have sex with men, but not heterosexual men. Nurses should increase knowledge of mental health disparities that impact Hispanic men to ensure that appropriate treatment can be provided to reduce the risk of co-occurring health risks to these men, including risk for HIV infection.

Depression and Co-Occurring Health Determinants of Hispanic Men with HIV Infection in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region: A Pilot Study.

HIV infection among Hispanic men is a public health concern. Certain factors have been identified that may contribute to the high rates of HIV infection among Hispanic men such as migration, acculturation, poverty, and depression. Hispanic men with HIV infection are at risk for additional co-occurring health issues. Given limited research few studies have focused specifically on Hispanic men with HIV infection residing in a U.S.-Mexico border community. This pilot study surveyed participants (n = 39), to better understand co-occurrence of health determinants, especially depression among Hispanic men with HIV infection. The study's findings indicate that clinicians need to be aware that factors may influence depression among people with Hispanic men with HIV infection. Clinicians also need awareness of the impact of depression on adherence to HIV care and treatment among Hispanic men with HIV infection. More research is needed to explore the relationship of HIV-related stigma, HIV disclosure, social support, and depression among Hispanic men with HIV infection.

Health Risk and Protective Factors Among Hispanic Women Living in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

As the Hispanic population continues to flourish in areas such the U.S.-Mexico border region, more attention needs to be focused on health factors among Hispanics. The purpose of this study was (1) to determine what specific health protective and health risk factors exist among Mexican/Mexican American women residing along the U.S.-Mexico border and (2) to determine the relationship between the protective and risk factors among these women. A sample of Mexican/Mexican American women (N = 98) participated in a structured interview that collected data on familism, Hispanic stress, depression, violence, and sexual risk and demographic variables. Religious factors had the largest influence on the health risk behaviors of alcohol intoxication and drug intoxication (p < .05), while familism influenced only condom use (p = .002) and a lifetime history of intimate partner violence (p = .039). Health care access also influenced the health risks of alcohol intoxication (p = .013), drug intoxication (p = .012), and condom use (p = .019). The study's results provide implications for clinical care and directions for future research.

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.

Relationships as Risk: High risk sex, Substance Abuse, and Violence among Hispanic Men who have Sex with Men.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience a number of health disparities including high rates of HIV from high risk sex. High rates of HIV infection are related to high risk sexual behaviors and multiple sexual partners. High rates of HIV infection in this population also may be related to high risk sexual behaviors that occur within the context of primary relationships. However, relatively little is know about about relationships among Hispanic MSM. In addition, little is known about the factors that contribute to risk within these primary relationships. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to use qualitative methods to explore the factors responsible for high risk sexual behavior within primary relationships among Hispanic MSM. METHODS: Twenty Hispanic MSM were recruited from various community sites in South Florida to participate in auditotaped focus groups. Data from the focus groups were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Data were collected until saturation was achieved. RESULTS: Participants identified a number of topics that contribute to risk: drugs/alcohol as risk, outside sex as risk, concealment of HIV infection, violence as risk, consensual and non-consensual sexual violence, and absent family support. Participants also described the relationship of sexual risk, substance abuse, and violence in the context of Hispanic MSM relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study provided some important clinical implications for clinicians providing care to Hispanic MSM. From the results of this study, directions for future research focused on the relationships of Hispanic MSM are evident.