HIV Testing strategies for reaching Urban Hispanic Young Adults: A University-Community Partnership

Miami-Dade County ranks No. 1 in the nation in new HIV infections per capita [1]. However, only half (54%) of Miami-Dade residents under 65 y/o report ever being tested for HIV; only 19% report having been tested in the... [ view full abstract ]

Miami-Dade County ranks No. 1 in the nation in new HIV infections per capita [1]. However, only half (54%) of Miami-Dade residents under 65 y/o report ever being tested for HIV; only 19% report having been tested in the previous year [2]. HIV remains a significant public health concern particularly among young adults. In Florida, 16% of all newly diagnosed HIV infections were among persons under 25 y/o; among these, Miami-Dade contributed the largest percentage of under-25 y/o HIV cases (24%) [3]. Hispanics are also disproportionately affected; 51% of all reported HIV diagnoses in Miami-Dade in the year 2013 were among Hispanics [4]. Florida International University (FIU), a large Hispanic-serving institution located in Miami-Dade, is leading the SAMHSA-funded project entitled, “Miami-Dade Partnership for Preventing Health Risks among Young Adults.” This partnership represents a collaboration between FIU and two Miami community-based organizations, Union Positiva, and Spectrum Programs, to reduce substance abuse, HIV, and hepatitis C among Hispanic young adults. This interdisciplinary research team developed and implemented a culturally sensitive strategic plan for addressing prevention needs among Hispanic young adults that includes health screenings, point-of-care HIV testing and counseling, and social media advocacy/awareness campaigns. Focus groups (n=30) were conducted with community stakeholders to examine the strategic plan and proposed campaigns. Stakeholder feedback was incorporated into the final design and approach. Substantial increases in HIV testing among Hispanic young adults (143% increase during first month of campaign) and the burgeoning reach of our social media campaigns (e.g., #MissHIVaria, 1,000 Facebook likes, 800 Instagram followers) have been documented. Ongoing outcome and impact assessments are being conducted and will be presented along with collaboration strategies. Preliminary results show that academic-community partnerships are critical in developing culturally and developmentally sensitive prevention campaigns that can successfully ‘advance a culture of health’ among urban Hispanic young adults.