Randomized Control Trial of Family-Based HIV Prevention for Latinos

Latinos are disproportionately represented among those diagnosed with HIV and Latino
adolescents are at risk for engaging in sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV. To date, data
regarding HIV prevention interventions for Latino adolescents, as distinct from other ethnic
groups, have been rare. Thus, an efficacious HIV prevention intervention is urgently needed
for Latino adolescents. The current proposal is aimed at filling that gap by evaluating a
newly developed family-based intervention that incorporates cultural constructs into the
Social-Personal Framework.

This R01 builds on the Principal Investigator's NIMH-funded K Award, which piloted a
culturally-specific family-based intervention with 80 Latino parent-adolescent dyads and
demonstrates promising results. Extending this work, 320 Latino parent-adolescent dyads with
an adolescent between the ages of 14 and 17 will be randomized into either the family based
HIV prevention intervention or a family-based general health promotion control condition. In
both conditions, the interventions will use a multi-family group format consisting of 6 to 8
parent and youth dyads in a one-day, 7-hour workshop. Both interventions employ activities
for youth and parents separately (e.g., focus on adolescent vulnerability) and parents and
adolescents together (e.g., address parent/adolescent communication). The project will
determine the efficacy of the Latino Family-based HIV prevention intervention from
assessment of changes in the adolescents' HIV-related sexual behavior and attitudes, gender
and sexual socialization, parent-child communication, and parental monitoring. Measures will
be completed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months post-intervention.

HIV/AIDS is a significant problem in the Latino community. Developing culturally sensitive
HIV prevention interventions for Latino youth, in particular, is a public health priority.
Family-based interventions are likely to be well received by the Latino population.
Therefore, this project will examine the efficacy of a family-based HIV prevention
intervention for Latino youth and parents to decrease the incidence of HIV among Latinos.
Its innovation is in being one of the first to work with Latinos specifically in a
family-based intervention where parents and adolescents come together to discuss important
sexuality-related topics.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Adolescents and parents self-identify as Latino/Hispanic

- Adolescents between the ages of 14 and 17

- Parent is Spanish-Speaking and feels comfortable speaking Spanish in groups

- Adolescent is English-speaking and feels comfortable speaking English in groups

- Adolescent meets behavioral inclusion criteria (not disclosed)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Adolescent self-discloses HIV positive status

- Currently or intending to be pregnant during the course of the study