Progreso en Salud: Findings from Two Adapted Social Network HIV Risk Reduction Interventions for Latina Seasonal Workers

Abstract

Background: Miami-Dade County, where many Latina seasonal workers reside and work, has the highest incidence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the US: a rate four times the national average. Despite this disproportionate risk for HIV, there are no HIV prevention interventions that aim to decrease HIV among Latina seasonal workers. Methods: The PROGRESO EN SALUD study compared the outcomes of two interventions adapted to include a social network component (VOICES and HEALTHY). Recruitment used a social network respondent-driven sampling design in which each seed was asked to recruit three friends, and those friends were asked to recruit three friends, for a total of twenty groups of 13 friends. We collected data at baseline, and 6 months and 12 months post intervention completion. We used generalized estimating equation models, properly adjusted for non-independent contributions of both social network interventions, to estimate the effects. Gaussian family multivariate models were calculated, addressing exchangeable working correlations, including both individual-level and cluster-level covariates in these models. Results: A total of 261 Latina seasonal workers participated in either the HEALTHY or the VOICES intervention. There were significant changes over time in cognitive factors (HIV knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, and adequate knowledge of condom use), behavioral factors (condom use, female condom use, and HIV testing), and communication factors (talking with friends about HIV prevention and intention to negotiate safe sex with male partners). Discussion: This study supports the literature suggesting that interventions incorporating social networks can have positive effects on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes, including sustained benefits beyond study periods.

Why Re-Invent the Wheel? Social Network Approaches Can Be Used to Mitigate SARS-CoV-2 Related Disparities in Latinx Seasonal Farmworkers

“…This commentary builds on lessons learned from our social network-based HIV prevention intervention called PROGRESO [ 14 , 15 ]. In this study, our team found that the vast majority of Latinx seasonal farmworkers live in fear due to the threat of deportation and discrimination [ 9 ].…”

“…The lessons we have learned from PROGRESO could inform potential approaches for promoting SARS-CoV-2 testing, tracing, social isolation, treatment and vaccination [ 14 , 15 ]. Using community-based participatory research approaches, we identified a community partner located in a Latinx seasonal working community in South Florida to implement the study.…”

“…The incorporation of personalismo in using a link-tracing design recruitment in our intervention allowed for the recruitment of groups of Latinx seasonal farmworkers who were friends or who had a friend in common [ 14 , 15 ]. This social network recruitment strategy promoted participants’ engagement [ 14 , 15 ].…”

“…The incorporation of personalismo in using a link-tracing design recruitment in our intervention allowed for the recruitment of groups of Latinx seasonal farmworkers who were friends or who had a friend in common [ 14 , 15 ]. This social network recruitment strategy promoted participants’ engagement [ 14 , 15 ]. Participants reported that they communicated among themselves via phone calls to remind each other about attending the intervention or scheduling an interview, and in some cases when a seed could not personally contact one network member, contact was made by their mutual friends, usually via social media [ 14 , 15 ].…”

“…This social network recruitment strategy promoted participants’ engagement [ 14 , 15 ]. Participants reported that they communicated among themselves via phone calls to remind each other about attending the intervention or scheduling an interview, and in some cases when a seed could not personally contact one network member, contact was made by their mutual friends, usually via social media [ 14 , 15 ]. Participants reported being interested in engaging in these interventions, not only for their personal benefit, but also to allow their friends to benefit from the intervention [ 14 , 15 ].…”