title: Novel approaches to HIV prevention and sexual health promotion among Guatemalan gay and bisexual men, MSM, and transgender persons.
abstract: 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.
authors: Scott D
authors: SD
authors: Rhodes
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Alonzo
authors: Lilli
authors: L
authors: Mann
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Downs
authors: Florence M
authors: FM
authors: Simán
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Andrade
authors: Omar
authors: O
authors: Martinez
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Abraham
authors: Guillermo R
authors: GR
authors: Villatoro
authors: Laura H
authors: LH
authors: Bachmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D017144:Focus Groups; D006166:Guatemala; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D063106:Transgender Persons; D055815:Young Adult; D005260:Female