ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To address the gap in knowledge about HIV risk reduction materials that target older adults. This review offered a comprehensive and rigorous examination of HIV risk reduction education materials that targeted older adults in the United States, assessing the gap in their coverage and content. METHOD: A cross-sectional review of both print and Internet sources from state departments of public health, state and area agencies on aging, and web resources that targeted older populations was performed. RESULTS: Of 29 health departments and 13 state and area agencies on aging that responded to the request, there were 9 HIV education materials identified that targeted older people. Of those materials, only 2 addressed the majority of aging-specific recommendations made from a previous study that described important HIV risk reduction information. DISCUSSION: Recommendations are made about dissemination ideas to increase awareness and utilization of HIV educational materials.
Subject(s)
Aging , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV Infections/psychology , Health Education/standards , Mass Media/standards , Public Health/methods , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Education/methods , Health Education/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Middle Aged , Public Health/standards , United StatesABSTRACT
The house/ball community is an understudied sub-group of young Black men who have sex with men and transgender persons in urban centers of the United States who affiliate in social structures called houses and gather at elaborate dance and performance events called balls. In Charlotte, North Carolina, 12 house/ball members were interviewed about their experiences with health care providers and their assessment of any barriers to care due to their affiliation with the rather clandestine house/ball sub-culture. Additionally, HIV-specific health care providers were interviewed, to assess their knowledge of the sub-culture. House/ball members reported both positive and negative perceptions of treatment by their health care providers with respect to their house/ball involvement. Some reported feeling stigmatized, especially around HIV status. Results showed that increased knowledge about the house/ball community could improve practitioners' cultural competence, thereby reducing stigma-related barriers to care.
Subject(s)
Black or African American , HIV Infections/ethnology , HIV Infections/psychology , Homosexuality, Male/ethnology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Awareness , Cultural Competency , Culture , Health Personnel/psychology , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Male , Risk Factors , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior/ethnology , Social Stigma , Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology , Transgender Persons/psychology , United States , Urban Population , Young AdultSubject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/economics , HIV Infections/economics , Health Services Accessibility/legislation & jurisprudence , Social Work/legislation & jurisprudence , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Famous Persons , Government Regulation , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/psychology , Health Policy , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Politics , Prejudice , Professional Role , Social Work/economics , United StatesABSTRACT
The Latino population is the fastest growing group in the United States; thus, it is imperative that social workers and other mental health practitioners be knowledgeable about the current literature on how to effectively serve this population. This article elucidates key issues and knowledge, such as immigration and migration concerns; discusses how to assess for levels of acculturation; examines cultural values; and highlights salient work issues and health disparities that Latinos experience. Recommendations on how agencies and universities can recruit and promote bilingual practitioners are introduced. Finally, culturally responsive strategies for professional use of self and fostering the therapeutic alliance are discussed.
