Frailty among older Hispanics living in the United States: A scoping review.

A scoping review was conducted to identify the available evidence about frailty among older Hispanics living in the U.S. using the Integral Model of Frailty. A not time-limited search was conducted in five peer-reviewed databases. Identified factors associated with frailty among older Hispanics are presented in four categories: (1) Characteristics and prevalence of frailty, (2) Life course determinants of frailty, (3) Comorbidities associated with frailty, and (4) Adverse outcomes of frailty. A total of 1030 articles were identified, and 37 articles were included in the scoping review. Most studies measured frailty based on the Fried Frailty Phenotype (59.5%, n= 22) and had a longitudinal design (64.9%, n= 24). The overall prevalence of frailty among Hispanics ranged from 4.3% to 37.1% (n= 20 studies). Further research is needed that targets Hispanics from different backgrounds in the U.S., particularly those that are high in number (i.e., Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Central Americans).

The development, feasibility and acceptability of an Internet-based STI-HIV prevention intervention for young Chilean women.

BACKGROUND: Young Chilean women between 18 and 24 years of age are at high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infection (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The literature shows a shortage of STI-HIV prevention interventions focused on this specific high-risk population and a unique set of barriers to receiving prevention messages. Internet-based interventions are promising for delivering STI-HIV prevention interventions and avoiding barriers to services. AIMS: The study aimed to develop a culturally informed Internet-based STI-HIV prevention intervention for Chilean women between 18 and 24 years of age, to investigate its feasibility and acceptability, and to compile recommendations on what would make the intervention more acceptable and feasible for these women. METHODS: The development of the Internet intervention was facilitated by a process that featured consultation with content and technology experts. A pre-post test design was used to test the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention with 40 young Chilean women between 18 and 24 years of age. RESULTS: The intervention website consisted of four modules of content and activities that support learning. The intervention was feasible and acceptable for young Chilean women between 18 and 24 years of age. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the value of engaging multiple expert panels to develop culturally informed and technology-based interventions. The results of this study support the feasibility and acceptability of conducting an Internet-based intervention with multiple sessions, yielding high participation rates in a population in which there are barriers to discussion of STI-HIV prevention and sex-related content. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The outcomes have implications for nursing education and clinical practice and they can be used for the legal and judicial systems to promote or reinforce policies that encourage STI-HIV prevention strategies among women.

Mental health training experiences among Haitian healthcare workers post-earthquake 2010.

BACKGROUND: After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the large number of persons with major limb damage, amputations, shock, trauma, anxiety and depression placed a severe strain on mental health (MH) services. PURPOSE: This qualitative study describes the impact and acceptability of a Mental Health Training Program (MHTP) implemented in the north of Haiti after the earthquake. METHODS: A total of 113 healthcare workers (HCWs) participated in a training program designed to build local MH care capacity. The training curriculum draws on literature related to MH and the impact of the Haiti earthquake. Two focus groups were conducted with 16 HCWs; discussions centred on the personal and professional impact and acceptability of the training program. DISCUSSION: Results demonstrated that the MHTP changed the HCWs' perceptions about MH issues and provided them with the knowledge and skills to respond to growing community MH needs. Acceptability of the MHTP was related to the content covered, to the delivery mode of the content and to the cultural appropriateness of the program. CONCLUSIONS: Disasters of different types will continue to occur and to impact MH in communities around the world. MH training will allow nurses to quickly and effectively respond to disasters. A coordinated emergency plan that is subject to frequent review, rehearsal and evaluation is also essential.

Impact of Mano a Mano-Mujer, an HIV prevention intervention, on depressive symptoms among Chilean women.

Worldwide, and in Chile, the number of women living with HIV is increasing. Depression is considered a factor that interferes with HIV prevention. Depression may reach 41% among low-income Chilean women. Depressed people are less willing to participate in behaviours that protect them against HIV. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of Mano a Mano-Mujer (MM-M), and HIV prevention intervention, on depressive symptoms among Chilean women. A quasi-experimental design was used for this study. The research was conducted in Santiago, Chile; a total of 400 women participated in the study (intervention group, n=182; control group, n=218). The intervention was guided by the social-cognitive model and the primary health care model. The intervention consists of six 2-h sessions delivered in small groups. Sessions covered: HIV prevention, depression, partner's communication, and substance abuse. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Chilean women who participated in MM-M significantly decreased, at 3 months follow up, their reported depressive symptoms. MM-M provided significant benefits for women's depression symptoms. In this study nurses participated as leaders for the screening of depressive symptoms and as facilitators of community interventions.

[HIV PREVENTION FOR HISPANIC WOMEN FIFTY YEARS AND OLDER.] / PREVENCION DE VIH PARA MUJERES HISPANAS DE 50 AÑOS Y MÁS.

INTRODUCTION: Hispanic women aged 50 and over (OHW) are a minority in the U.S. at high risk of acquiring HIV and the least studied group of population in relation to health, social characteristics and sexual behavior. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors that increase HIV risk among OHW with the purpose of developing or adapting an intervention appropriate for their "age and culture". METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample of 50 OHW, sexually active and who residing in Miami, Florida, U.S. A structured questionnaire was administered by trained bilingual interviewers (English/Spanish). Participants were recruited from different locations in South Florida. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including central tendency and dispersion measures. RESULTS: OHW's mean age was 55.7 ± 6 years old (range 50-76 years old). All the OHW were in the menopause. HIV PREVENTION: OHW reported average levels of HIV knowledge and partner communication. In the sample OHW reported depression symptoms, intimate partner violence, negative attitudes towards people living with HIV and low perceived risk of acquiring HIV. OHW mentioned learning needs in topics related to HIV prevention and age changes. CONCLUSION: OHW are at risk of acquiring HIV and they have special needs in terms of HIV prevention.

Uso de Sustancias en Mujeres con Desventaja Social: Riesgo para el Contagio de VIH/SIDA.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological characterization in Chile points to the feminization, pauperization and heterosexualization of the HIV epidemic, which indicates increased risk for socially disadvantaged women. When the use of substances is added to this, the vulnerability of this group in terms of HIV is magnified. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of substances in socially disadvantaged women and to identify HIV/AIDS risk factors associated with the use or consumption of substances. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 52 women were interviewed as part of the project "Testing an HIV prevention intervention in Chilean women" GRANT # RO1 TW 006977. Socio-demographic and substance use variables are described through descriptive statistics, and the relationship between variables is analyzed using correlation tests. RESULTS: The results reveal a socio-demographic profile that places women in a vulnerable situation regarding transmission of HIV/AIDS, with high indices of substance use amplifying risk. CONCLUSIONS: These finding indicate the need for interventions focusing on HIV prevention in women that incorporate the risks associated with the consumption of substances.