Eugenia Curet
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA
Title: HIV prevention among Hispanic youth and young adults in South Texas
Biography
Biography: Eugenia Curet
Abstract
The residents of South Texas continue to be heavily impacted by HIV, accounting for high rates of new infections, AIDS diagnoses and people living with HIV. The Texas-Mexico Border region is a major port of drug-trafficking as well as string market for “holding houses” for drug redistribution. A significant consequence of the drug trafficking in the area is the increase of HIV largely due to intravenous drug use and risky sexual behaviors. The Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Project resulted in the establishment of an evidence-based approach to prevent substance abuse and the spread of HIV/AIDS among college students and community members and to facilitate the referral process of those who are at risk. By implementing the peer educator and community-health worker model, the project provided enhanced comprehensive substance abuse and HIV prevention education to more than 600 participants during 2013-2014. Level of awareness of important knowledge related to HIV/AIDS and Substance Use is measured through the administration of a pretest and posttest. Through the statistical analysis it was learned that the information sessions were successful at changing perceptions concerning risky sexual behaviors and drug use. This project outlines the sociocultural, structural, and individual issues that both facilitate and limit the access to health care and prevention services. The evidence for the effectiveness of minority serving institutions in collaboration with community-based organizations strategy is strong; that is why the project continues to increase system capacity to address substance use and HIV infection prevention.