UC San Diego

Background

Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Diego have poor HIV testing and prevention outcomes compared with non-Latino White men. Peer navigation (PN) is a promising evidence-based intervention to reduce disparities but needs tailoring for Latino MSM.

Settings

Health centers near the US-Mexico border.

Methods

Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment Framework, we conducted mixed-methods implementation science study. In phase I, we conducted interviews with Latino men (n = 15), focus groups with staff (n = 7), and surveys with all to understand the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment factors associated with HIV testing and care linkage. In phase II, we conducted 31 web-based surveys with Latino men and staff to rank intervention and implementation strategies from phase I. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, integrated with qualitative data, and reviewed by our community-academic partnership to develop an implementation model.

Results

Latino men (N = 15) were 94% Spanish speaking, 67% gay identified, 27% US born, and their suggestions were to have navigators use peer referral to address barriers such as stigma; use the Latino social network to expand reach, leverage social media for peer-led intervention, and disseminate HIV information. Staff (N = 26) were 77% Spanish speaking, 35% gay-identified, 96% trained in cultural competency, and suggested including culturally appropriate HIV educational materials in Spanish, status and identity neutral programs, administrative/supervisorial/training structure for PNs, and PN compensation and team integration. Overall, results emphasized a need for a formalized PN model centered on referrals and using existing Latino community social networks.

Conclusions

Findings can be packaged for future implementation of PN programs for Latino MSM.