Acceptability of the "Love, Sex, & Choices" HIV Prevention Intervention by Hispanic Female College Students.

INTRODUCTION: Hispanic women are affected by HIV. "Love, Sex & Choices" (LSC) is an innovative 12-episode urban soap opera video series targeting young adult Black women streamed to smartphones. This study purpose was to determine whether LSC is an acceptable HIV prevention intervention for female Hispanic college students in South Florida. METHOD: After institutional review board approval, female Hispanic college students were recruited from two campuses to watch the LSC video series and complete an online evaluation survey. RESULTS: Study participants (n =101) evaluated LSC as definitely/probably important for women (97.0%), helpful for making relationship decisions (86.2%), changing attitudes about having sex (79.2%), asking partners to use a condom (80.2%), leaving partners who won't use condoms (74.2%), handling oneself in tough situations in a relationship (79.2%), and getting an HIV test (83.2%). Participants liked/related to LSC and thought their friends would also like the series. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that young Hispanic women related to the video series, were likely to get HIV tested after watching the video series, found the story lines realistic, and thought their friends would like the series. The next step is to test the effectiveness of LSC to change behaviors of young Hispanic women at risk of HIV.

Effectiveness of Nursing Student-led HIV Prevention Education for Minority College Students: The SALSA Project.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Awareness of the Link between Substance Abuse and AIDS (SALSA) Student Peer Educators (SPEs) in increasing freshman students' HIV knowledge/awareness, and to assess students' perceptions of the SPEs as teachers/HIV prevention educators. METHODS: Junior nursing students served as SALSA SPEs and presented an updated 50-minute sexual health class to freshman students. An investigator-developed questionnaire and program evaluation form was completed by attendees at the end of class. RESULTS: A total of 66 classes were presented by 71 SALSA SPEs to 965 freshman students. Questionnaire results revealed that the freshman students increased their knowledge/awareness of HIV transmission/prevention, while decreasing their likelihood to engage in risky sex. Program evaluation resulted in ratings of excellent. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that campus-based SPEs may be effective in educating freshman students about HIV and risky sexual behaviors.

The Perceived Effects of Condoms on Sexual Experience: A Comparison of Older Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Men.

Heterosexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is increasing in older adult populations around the world. This study compares Hispanic and non-Hispanic men ages 50 years and older currently using prescribed erectile dysfunction medications in relation to their perception of the effect of condoms on sexual experience. A sample of 86 men (40 Hispanic and 46 non-Hispanic men) ages 50-79 years completed the 10-item Effect on Sexual Experience (ESE) subscale. Although there was no difference between the 2 groups on the subscale mean score, t(84) = 1.449, p = .151, analysis of the subscale items found 1 item that was significantly different (p = .005) between the 2 groups, although this difference could have been related to different perceptions of the word disgusting. Hispanic men were also less concerned than non-Hispanic men about condom-related loss of erection. This study adds to the literature on HIV and STD prevention for older Hispanic/Latinos.

Condom attitudes of heterosexual men ages 50 and older using prescribed drugs (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) to treat erectile dysfunction.

The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes about condoms that may affect condom use by heterosexual men ages 50 and older who were sexually active and currently using prescribed oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor medications (Viagra(®), Cialis(®), or Levitra(®)) for treatment of erectile dysfunction. The study was part of a larger study that explored the need for safer-sex health promotion and education for these men. Fifty men completed factor subscales of the Condom Attitude Scale. Subscales were scored and analyzed. Positive factors were found with regard to the Interpersonal Impact, Inhibition, Perceived Risk, Perceived Seriousness, and Global Attitudes subscales. Factors with negative or neutral responses included the Effect on Sexual Experience, Relationship Safety, and Promiscuity subscales. Independent t tests revealed no differences between married and nonmarried men for the mean score on any of the subscales, but there was a difference on the Global Attitude Scale, with younger men having a more positive global attitude than older men. Study findings can be used in the development of health promotion educational activities on condom use as a safer-sex practice.

Clinical practice on the horizon: personalized medicine.

With the advent of the human genome project, we have never known so much about the uniqueness of individuals. Personalized medicine is poised to use this genetic and genomic information along with the impact of environment and clinical presentation to provide healthcare from an individual perspective. This offers the opportunity to improve our ability to diagnose and predict disease, provide earlier intervention, identify new treatment regimens, and address the safety and efficacy of drug use. The impact of personalized medicine to our current model of healthcare delivery is tremendous, and although strides have been made, there are still challenges and barriers to overcome before personalized medicine can be fully implemented. Advanced practice nurses may not be fully aware of the personalized medicine initiative or may not be well versed on genetic and genomic content, which is a key concept of personalized medicine. The role of advanced practice nurses is an integral part of the healthcare system, and as such, they are poised to be key providers and contributors to personalized medicine. The personalized medicine initiative is discussed along with examples of genetic and genomic information that lend to our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, as well as the role and responsibilities of advanced practice nurses. Resources for personalized medicine and genetic and genomic content are provided.