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.

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.

INTRODUCTIONHispanic 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.OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors that increase HIV risk among OHW with the purpose of developing or adapting an intervention appropriate for their "age and culture".METHODOLOGYA 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.RESULTSOHW's mean age was 55.7 ± 6 years old (range 50-76 years old). All the OHW were in the menopause.HIV PREVENTIONOHW 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.CONCLUSIONOHW are at risk of acquiring HIV and they have special needs in terms of HIV prevention.

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.

BACKGROUND:HIV infection has increased within the Latina community more than in any other ethnic or racial group within the United States. Latinas comprise only 13% of the U.S. population, yet they account for 20% of the cumulative reported cases of AIDS. OBJECTIVES:The purpose of the study was to evaluate a randomized culturally tailored intervention to prevent high-HIV-risk sexual behaviors for Latina women residing in urban areas. METHODS:Mexican and Puerto Rican women (18-44 years of age; N = 657) who were sexually active during the previous 3 months were recruited and randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention, facilitated by bilingual, bicultural, trained Latina women, consisted of culturally tailored sessions on understanding their bodies, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, condoms (myths and use), negotiating safer sex practices, violence prevention, and partner communication. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed changes from baseline. RESULTS:The intervention improved HIV knowledge, partner communication, risk-reduction behavioral intentions, and condom use, and decreased perceived barriers to condom use. DISCUSSION:The efficacy of a culturally-sensitive intervention to reduce HIV/AIDS-risk behaviors in Latina women was demonstrated in the current study.