Liliana Rojas-Guyler

A qualitative study examining Latino functional health literacy levels and sources of health information.

The purpose of this study was to determine the health information sources used by Latinos in southwest Ohio, identify individual Latino residents’ functional health literacy levels, and identify any access barriers to those sources of health information. Results show almost two-thirds had low acculturation levels to US culture. Overall, the major source of health information is a medical setting, followed by media technology (which included the Internet). However, when it comes to being ill, the primary source becomes a media choice, then medical. The barriers to accessing health information included language and lack of confidence/knowledge. Participants reported moderate satisfaction with the sources of health information available, and had an ‘adequate’ health literacy level in Spanish. This study was important because it filled an existing information gap for the Latino community, a racial ethnic minority population in the southwest Ohio area. With the results of this study, health educators and other health care practitioners might be better able to understand the health care needs of the Latino community and could essentially create improved and culturally competent health communications.

Acculturation, Health Protective Sexual Communication, and HIV/AIDS Risk Behavior Among Hispanic Women in a Large Midwestern City

The relationships among acculturation, health protective sexual communication, and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of Hispanic women are examined. Respondents represented 14 Latin American countries, a mean age of 29.5 years, and relatively low education and income levels. A significant correlation was found between higher non-Hispanic acculturation level and higher sexual communication with new partners. Higher non-Hispanic acculturation levels were also correlated with higher number of sexual partners in the prior 12 months. The higher the score for health protective sexual communication, the higher the reported frequency of condom use with new sexual partners in the past 12 months. Given the low number of sexual partners, HIV/AIDS risk for this group of women appears to be related to not knowing whether their partners had other sexual partners and to low frequency of condom use. Implications for health education are discussed.

Picturing health: a photovoice pilot of Latina girls' perceptions of health.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a pilot participatory needs assessment, using Photovoice to engage in a critical dialogue with preadolescent Latina girls about their perceptions of health and immediate health concerns. Seven Latina girls participated in the Photovoice study and held a photography exhibition for the community to display their photographs and quotes from their discussions. Eight themes about being healthy emerged. Conducting a needs assessment, which concentrates on the voices and needs of these girls, can be the first step to creating successful and cost-efficient programs and interventions specifically suited to this group.

Religiosity, Spirituality, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviors Among College Students

The purpose of this study was to determine whether religiosity, spirituality, and sexual attitudes accounted for differences in sexual behaviors among college students. The sample included 960 college students enrolled at four northeastern colleges. Results indicated differences in sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality by gender. Moreover, sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality were associated with sexual behaviors among college students. Sexual behaviors among males were influenced by their sexual attitudes, religiosity, and spirituality, while for females, their sexual behaviors were mostly influenced by their sexual attitudes. College health professionals can use these findings when discussing sexual practices with students.

A true challenge for any superhero: an evaluation of a comic book obesity prevention program.

The purpose of this study was to pilot test the Comics for Health program, a theory-based nutrition and physical activity intervention for children. Twelve after-school programs were randomized to either a theory-based (n = 37) or a knowledge-based (n = 34 children) version of the intervention. Pretests, posttests, and 3-month follow-up tests were administered to evaluate the programmatic effects on body mass index percentile, obesity-related behaviors, and constructs of social cognitive theory. Both interventions found significant, yet modest effects for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .005), physical activities (P < .004), and water and sugar-free beverage consumption (P < .001) and self-efficacy for fruit and vegetable consumption (P < .015) and physical activities (P < .009).

Health-Seeking Behaviors among Latinas: Practices and Reported Difficulties in Obtaining Health Services.

Abstract Background: Latinos experience disproportionate negative health status and health care access. Expanding understanding of factors impacting Latino immigrant health is imperative. Purpose: This study identified health-seeking behaviors among Latinas in a large Midwestern city with rapid immigrant population growth. Health-seeking behaviors like frequency of care, type of health care provider (HCP) sought, and reasons for seeking care were explored. Barriers to health care access and their frequency were identified. Additionally, interactions between demographics, health-seeking behaviors and health care access barriers were explored. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 204 Latinas by trained culturally competent and bilingual interviewers. Results: Most reported moderate to good health. Foreign born Latinas reported lower overall health. Nearly half had experienced difficulty obtaining health care services. Leading access barriers were: cost, communication issues, and lack of insurance. Those reporting difficulty had: significantly lower education and income levels, lower ability for self-sufficiency, less likelihood of having legal status, and more likelihood of being unemployed. Lack of Latino HCPs and cultural insensitivity by HCPs were reported as barriers. Discussion: Incongruities in access to care underscore the importance for novel interventions aimed at reducing health care disparities. Findings emphasize the need for tailored outreach programs that address barriers and that are effective in increasing Latina participation in preventive health care. Continued assessment of acculturation on health-seeking behaviors among Latinas is clearly warranted, as it can have a profound impact on their health seeking behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: The continuation of efforts to decrease all health disparities is discussed with emphasis on giving attention to the specific needs of emerging populations for culturally appropriate and effective health care options.

Using the Health Belief Model to Determine Safer Sexual Behavior among African Immigrants

Background. African immigrants in the U.S. are at high risk of HIV/AIDS because of their risky sexual behaviors, but they are infrequently studied. The purpose of this study was to use health belief model (HBM) to examine safe sexual behaviors among African immigrants. Methods. A cross-sectional design with a 44-item valid and reliable questionnaire based on constructs of HBM was administered to a quota sample of 412 African immigrants in Ohio. Results. The logistic regression analyses revealed that the HBM constructs as a set significantly accounted for the variance in condom use and monogamous behaviors. The findings showed that perceived susceptibility (OR=1.10), perceived barriers (OR=1.10), cues to action (OR=1.19) and self-efficacy (OR=1.21) were significant predictors of condom use (p<.05). Discussion. Based on the findings future HIV/AIDS risk reduction programs among African immigrants can be designed based on HBM.

A Process Evaluation of a Social Cognitive Theory–Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention: The Comics for Health Program

Process evaluations are an often overlooked yet essential component of health promotion interventions. This study reports the results of a comprehensive process evaluation for the “Comics for Health” program, a childhood obesity prevention intervention implemented at 12 after-school programs. Qualitative and quantitative process data were collected using surveys, field notes, and open-item questionnaires, which assessed program fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, reach, recruitment, and context. Triangulation of methods was also employed to better understand how the program was implemented and received by the facilitator, staff members, and children in the program. Results indicated that program implementation had an almost perfect rate of fidelity with most lessons recording 100% tasks completed. Lessons were implemented in their intended order and lasted approximately 30 minutes as planned. After-school staff members reported that the program was well received by children, and this program should be replicated in the future. Attendance records showed that a majority of the children attended each lesson on the initial day of delivery (70.4%) and informal make-up lessons were implemented to compensate for the other children. Finally, several known sources of contamination were found such as past and concurrent exposure to similar health promotion interventions, which could potentially influence study outcomes. These findings will be used to help explain the results of this intervention and make recommendations for future intervention efforts.

Networking for Career-Long Success: A Powerful Strategy for Health Education Professionals

Networking is a proven strategy to enhance professional recognition and skills while promoting career development. Through a variety of techniques and for a multitude of reasons, health educators can enrich their professional endeavors by interacting and engaging in formal and informal networking with others. Through networking, health education professionals can offer each other assistance and support while establishing long-lasting mutually beneficial relationships. This article provides an overview of the basics of networking, reasons that networking is important, persons who can benefit from networking, and strategies on how to network and how to develop, maintain, and nurture a network.

Sexuality Education among Latinas: Experiences, Preferences, Attitudes and Risk Behavior.

ABSTRACT This study investigated sexuality topics discussed by parents, sources of sexuality education, sexual risk behaviors, and attitudes about who should educate children about sexuality among a sample of 204 adult Latinas. Nearly half of sexually active women (having ever had sex) reported condom use and 36.7% reported discussing sexual history with new sexual partners. Self-discovery, friends and media were the most commonly reported sources of sexuality education. Almost 60% of participants thought that both parents and teachers should be responsible for their childrens sexuality education. Lower education and lower acculturation were related to reporting peers and media as primary sources of sexuality education. Participants whose parents discussed at least one sexuality related topic with them reported higher frequency of condom use.