Public Health Reports
Volume 124, Issue 6, 2009, Pages 790-796

Lessons from the fields: A migrant HIV prevention project (Article)

McCoy H.V. , Hlaing W.M. , Ergon-Rowe E. , Samuels D. , Malow R.
  • a Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • b Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Miami, FL, United States
  • c Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, United States
  • d Social Science and Research Consultants, Hollywood, FL, United States
  • e Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199, United States

Abstract

Migrant and seasonal workers are vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to poverty, inadequate knowledge of preventive strategies, and lack of access to health care. This study addresses the disparate impact of HIV among Hispanic and African American migrant workers in Immokalee, Florida, who use alcohol and other drugs. Through pilot testing to adapt the experimental and comparison interventions to these two distinct populations, research staff have learned the importance of (1) establishing and maintaining trust between outreach staff and the migrant community; (2) being aware of cultural nuances and practices that might create challenges to the research process, and the interaction of these factors with poverty; and (3) having flexibility in recruitment and intervention. As one of the first intervention studies in this population to use an experimental design and to focus on the social and contextual factors that contribute to risky behaviors, these lessons may provide guidance for future researchers. ©2009 Association of Schools of Public Health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

controlled clinical trial Human immunodeficiency virus infection alcohol consumption clinical trial poverty human controlled study priority journal randomized controlled trial African American United States migrant worker Hispanic cultural factor Article high risk behavior peer counseling infection prevention drug use
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-74849129018&doi=10.1177%2f003335490912400605&partnerID=40&md5=75dedc01f657ceb9e3c974f3f0e11ca3
DOI: 10.1177/003335490912400605
ISSN: 00333549
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English