title: 'Proyecto Orgullo', an HIV prevention, empowerment and community mobilisation intervention for gay men and transgender women in Callao/Lima, Peru.
abstract: We used qualitative, quantitative, and observational methods to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of Proyecto Orgullo (PO), a pilot community mobilisation intervention to decrease sexual risk, promote health-seeking behaviours, and facilitate personal and community empowerment among gay men (GM) and transgender women (TW) in Peru. PO was adapted from Mpowerment and Hermanos de Luna y Sol, two US interventions. PO included six interrelated core elements: (1) Self-reflection Small Group sessions; (2) Supporting peers in HIV prevention; (3) Mobilisation Activities addressing HIV, GM/TW issues, and community empowerment; (4) A Core Group (staff + GM/TW volunteers) designing/implementing those activities; (5) A Project Space; (6) Publicity. PO included specific components for TW, but promoted that GM/TW, who historically have not worked well together, collaborate for a common goal. We found that PO was embraced by GM/TW. PO positively influenced GM/TW's HIV prevention beliefs, self-efficacy, and behaviours; provided social support and created community; facilitated individual and community empowerment; achieved that GM/TW collaborate; and established a functional Community Centre for socialising/conducting mobilisation activities. Community mobilisation strategies, lacking from HIV prevention efforts in Peru but considered key to HIV prevention, can help improve health-seeking behaviours and consolidate social norms supporting preventive behaviours among GM/TW.
authors.affiliation: a Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiorana
authors.affiliation: a Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kegeles
authors.affiliation: b Unit of Health, Sexuality and Human Development , Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia , Lima , Peru.
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medicine , University of California Los Angeles , Los Angeles , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Kelika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konda
authors.affiliation: b Unit of Health, Sexuality and Human Development , Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia , Lima , Peru.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva-Santisteban
authors.affiliation: b Unit of Health, Sexuality and Human Development , Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia , Lima , Peru.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cáceres
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010379:Peer Group; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011209:Power, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV community mobilisation intervention; Peru; gay men; transgender women