Testing the Efficacy of an HIV Prevention Intervention Among Latina Immigrants Living in Farmworker Communities in South Florida

Abstract

Latina immigrants living in farmworker communities are a population in need of HIV risk reduction interventions due to their high risk for HIV and their limited access to health care and prevention services. The present study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of SEPA intervention on a cohort of 234 pre-established Latina immigrants living in farmworker communities in South Florida. SEPA is a CDC evidenced-based and Latinx culturally tailored HIV risk reduction intervention. Data were collected through structured interviews at baseline and 6-months post intervention and were analyzed using generalized linear mixed modeling. Results showed that SEPA was effective on increasing condom use during vaginal and anal sex with male partners, self-efficacy for condom use, intentions to negotiate safe sex and HIV-related knowledge from baseline to 6-months post intervention. These findings contribute to the evidence supporting the efficacy of SEPA by confirming previous results and demonstrating the efficacy of this intervention for Latinas of diverse backgrounds.