Retention in HIV Care for Hispanic Immigrants

Addressing Barriers to Retention in HIV Care for Hispanic Immigrants

A randomized trial to test the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to improve retention in HIV primary care in HIV-infected Hispanic immigrants compared to a "treatment as usual" condition. We will measure feasibility, acceptability, study retention, and effect sizes of outcomes in order to inform a larger trial. The intervention design is based on qualitative research with HIV-infected Hispanic immigrants and their HIV providers. The intervention will be led by a Spanish-speaking community health worker trained in HIV health promotion.

Overview:

Participants will be HIV-infected Hispanic immigrants age ≥18 years. Participants will be recruited from Partners-affiliated infectious disease and primary care clinics as well as clinics and community-based organizations in the Greater Boston area with high contact with HIV-infected Hispanics. In the intervention, a bilingual (English-Spanish speaking) community health worker (CHW) will deliver personalized sessions framed around a Spanish-language multi-media health communication tool. The CHW will deliver the intervention over a 16 to 24 week period.

Study procedures:

Participants will be HIV-infected Hispanic immigrants age ≥18 years at risk for inconsistent attendance (as measured during study screening). Participants will be recruited via provider referral, peer referral, flyers, and social media. Once an individual expresses interest in the study, a study staff member will screen that individual to assess eligibility. Individuals who are eligible will be invited to enroll through an informed consent process and complete a baseline survey. After completion of the baseline survey, study staff will randomize participants into a treatment as usual (TAU) group or intervention group. At trial exit, all participants, including the TAU group, will complete an in-depth assessment to measure their barriers to HIV care and provide feedback about their experience in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older and able to communicate in Spanish or English
• Born in Puerto Rico or Spanish-speaking Latin American country
• HIV-infected or HIV-positive
• New HIV diagnosis or unable to regularly attend HIV primary care appointments

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide verbal consent due to unstable medical or psychiatric condition