Resum
The burden of HIV is disproportionate for Guatemalan sexual minorities (e.g., gay and bisexual men, men who have sex with men [MSM], and
transgender persons). Our bi-national partnership used authentic approaches to community-based participatory research (CBPR) to identify characteristics of potentially successful programs to prevent HIV and promote sexual health among Guatemalan sexual minorities. Our partnership conducted Spanish-language focus groups with 87 participants who self-identified as
male (n = 64) or transgender (n = 23) and individual in-depth interviews
with ten formal and informal gay community leaders. Using constant comparison, an approach to grounded theory, we identified 20 characteristics
of potentially successful programs to reduce HIV risk, including providing guidance on accessing limited resources; offering supportive dialogue
around issues of masculinity, socio-cultural expectations, love, and intimacy; using Mayan values and images; harnessing technology; increasing leadership and advocacy skills; and mobilizing social networks. More research is clearly needed, but participants reported needing and wanting programming and had innovative ideas to prevent HIV exposure and transmission.
Autoria:
RHODES, Scott D.;
ALONZO, Jorge;
MANN, Lilli;
DOWNS, Mario;
SIMÁN, Florence M.;
ANDRADE, Mario;
MARTÍNEZ, Omar;
ABRAHAM, Claire;
VILLATORO, Guillermo R.;
BACHMANN, Laura H.