Project Overview
In the United States, Latinx individuals account for 18% of the overall population, yet sexual minoritized men (SMM) within this demographic disproportionately represent 30% of new HIV diagnoses among all SMM. Despite the availability of highly effective HIV prevention strategies such as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), there are marked inequities in access and utilization of these strategies among Latinx SMM. Sociocultural factors and the experiences of Latinx SMM shape beliefs about sexual health promotion and influence HIV self-protective behaviors (e.g., the correct and consistent use of condoms, regular engagement in HIV testing, and PrEP use) in this group.
This project focused on describing the sociocultural barriers and facilitators that influence sexual health promotion and HIV self-protection among Latinx SMM through a descriptive qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews.
Data and Data Collection Overview
This study used a qualitative descriptive design to explore sexual health promotion and HIV self-protection among cisgender Latinx SMM living across the U.S. Individual in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to inquire about participants’ perceptions of sexual health promotion.
Between October 2020 and July 2021, a purposive sample of 15 Latinx SMM was recruited. All participants were screened by one of four bicultural, bilingual researchers that were a part of this study. A total of 20 participants were screened for this study, and 15 individuals ultimately enrolled. Of these 15 individuals enrolled, three participants were recruited from an ongoing SER Hispano study, 11 were recruited through social media, and one was recruited using snowball sampling.
Interviews were completed virtually over WebEx, however four participants experienced connectivity issues hence were interviewed by phone in private locations. Interviewers were bilingual, bicultural, and trained in effective interviewing. Participants were encouraged to respond in their preferred language; most (8) interviews were completed in English. Interviews lasted 45-65 minutes on average of 52 minutes and were audio-recorded for transcription and analysis. Data management and analysis were performed using NVivo 13.
Selection and Organization of Shared Data
Full transcripts are not being shared since explicit consent was not obtained for such use at the time of data collection.
The data files shared here include the socio-demographic characteristics of the participant panel, individual participant profiles and an abstraction of the de-identified coded interview transcripts, with illustrative quotes organized by theme.
The documentation files shared consist of the semi-structured interview guide in English and Spanish, the study consent script in English and Spanish (through which verbal consent was obtained), this Data Narrative and an administrative README file. |
