Lilian Ferrer

Predictors of Self-Efficacy for HIV Prevention Among Hispanic Women in South Florida

&NA; Self‐efficacy is a critical element for HIV prevention, however little is known about the predictors of self‐efficacy for HIV prevention among Hispanic women. In this cross‐sectional study we assessed if age, living with a partner, employment status, HIV knowledge, self‐esteem, and intimate partner violence (IPV) predicted self‐efficacy for HIV prevention in 548 Hispanic women in South Florida who participated in a randomized controlled trial (SEPA). The majority of Hispanic women reported high levels of self‐efficacy for HIV prevention. Women who were older, living with a partner, had less HIV knowledge, and had a history of IPV reported significantly lower levels of self‐efficacy for HIV prevention. HIV knowledge was the most important predictor of self‐efficacy for HIV prevention. Employment was not a significant predictor of self‐efficacy for HIV prevention. Predictors identified in the study can be used to identify high‐risk Hispanic women who are in need of HIV prevention interventions.

Effectiveness of an educational program about the Chilean AIDS law in primary care health workers

BACKGROUND In Chile, members of the civil society and government achieved the passing of the HIV/AIDS Law (19.779). The level of knowledge of the law held by healthcare workers in Chile is not well known. AIM To analyze the effect of an intervention on knowledge of the existence of the law and its application in clinical practice among primary healthcare workers in southeastern Santiago. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthcare workers of primary care centers were invited to participate in the study. One group received an educational intervention lasting a total of 16 hours, about AIDS physiopathology, sexually transmitted diseases, communication with patients and current legislation. A control group did not receive the educational intervention. Both groups answered a self-administered questionnaire about the HIV/AIDS law at baseline and three months after the intervention. RESULTS The intervention was carried out in 262 workers and 293 participated as controls. The initial evaluation revealed that only 16.3% (n = 89) had heard of the law, without any significant difference between intervention and control groups. The knowledge about the law improved by 65% in the intervention group and did not change in controls. At the end of the education period, the intervention and control groups improved their global knowledge by 29 and 3%, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The educational intervention was effective in improving knowledge of the HIV/AIDS Law among Chilean healthcare workers.

Mujeres que consumen sustancias y su vulnerabilidad frente al VIH en santiago de Chile

Introduction: Women represent 15% of the people living with HIV in Chile. Risk behaviors for HIV are: multiple partners, unsafe sex, and exchange of sex for drugs/money. Methodology: A correlational design was used. A sample of 203 women who were sexually active and consumed substances within the last 3-months were selected for this study. Results: The average age of the participants was 32.4 years (SD = 9.2) and 68.1% were housewives. The substance most commonly used was alcohol (95.1%) and marijuana (49.8%); 23.7% of the women were drunk or drugged before having sex; 74.4% had multiple sexual partners and 95.6% had unprotected sex. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop more research to understand in depth the relationship between substance use and HIV risk among Chilean women. It is important to consider the use of substances to develop and implement HIV prevention programs in the Chilean community.The Government of Malawi recognizes that the health of young people is a component of public health which is of concern in this country. However lives of most young people continue to be threatened by a number of factors such as sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS teenage pregnancies unsafe abortion complications nutrition inadequacies alcohol and drug abuse and mental health problems. This contributes significantly to the high mortality and morbidity rates in Malawi. The Ministry of Health through the Directorate of Reproductive Health and partners initiated the program evaluation of youth-friendly health services to assess the extent to which young people access the health services they need at various levels of care. The findings and recommendations from the evaluation stressed the need to have a robust adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health strategy. This strategy therefore aims at giving direction and guidance to the implementation of SRH services for all young people country wide so as to achieve the highest possible level of quality integrated services.

Mujeres que Consumen Sustancias y su Vulnerabilidad frente al VIH en Santiago de Chile (Women Who Consume Substances and Their Vulnerability to HIV in Santiago of Chile)

Introduction: Women represent 15% of the people living with HIV in Chile. Risk behaviors for HIV are: multiple partners, unsafe sex, and exchange of sex for drugs/money. Methodology: A correlational design was used. A sample of 203 women who were sexually active and consumed substances within the last 3-months were selected for this study. Results: The average age of the participants was 32.4 years (SD = 9.2) and 68.1% were housewives. The substance most commonly used was alcohol (95.1%) and marijuana (49.8%); 23.7% of the women were drunk or drugged before having sex; 74.4% had multiple sexual partners and 95.6% had unprotected sex. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop more research to understand in depth the relationship between substance use and HIV risk among Chilean women. It is important to consider the use of substances to develop and implement HIV prevention programs in the Chilean community.The Government of Malawi recognizes that the health of young people is a component of public health which is of concern in this country. However lives of most young people continue to be threatened by a number of factors such as sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS teenage pregnancies unsafe abortion complications nutrition inadequacies alcohol and drug abuse and mental health problems. This contributes significantly to the high mortality and morbidity rates in Malawi. The Ministry of Health through the Directorate of Reproductive Health and partners initiated the program evaluation of youth-friendly health services to assess the extent to which young people access the health services they need at various levels of care. The findings and recommendations from the evaluation stressed the need to have a robust adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health strategy. This strategy therefore aims at giving direction and guidance to the implementation of SRH services for all young people country wide so as to achieve the highest possible level of quality integrated services.