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Biomedical subjects

Antonia M Villarruel

Publications and source records attributed to Antonia M Villarruel.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A randomized controlled trial testing an HIV prevention intervention for Latino youth.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a prevention intervention to reduce sexual risk behavior among Latino adolescents. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial from April 2000 through March 2003, with data collection before and after intervention and at 3, 6, and 12 months. SETTING: Northeast Philadelphia schools. PARTICIPANTS: Latinos aged 13 through 18 years (249 males and 304 females); 81.6% retained at 12-month follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: The HIV and health-promotion control interventions consisted of six 50-minute modules delivered by adult facilitators to small, mixed-gender groups in English or Spanish. Main Outcome Measure Self-reported sexual behavior. RESULTS: Analyses using generalized estimation equations over the follow-up period revealed that adolescents in the HIV intervention were less likely to report sexual intercourse (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.96), multiple partners (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.90), and days of unprotected intercourse (relative risk, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.84) and more likely to report using condoms consistently (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.24-2.93). Baseline sexual experience and language use moderated intervention efficacy. Adolescents assigned to the HIV intervention who were sexually inexperienced at baseline reported fewer days of unprotected sex (relative risk, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08-0.63); Spanish speakers were more likely to have used a condom at last intercourse (odds ratio, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.72-12.97) and had a greater proportion of protected sex (mean difference, 0.35; P<.01) compared with similar adolescents in the health-promotion intervention. CONCLUSION: Results provide evidence for the efficacy of HIV intervention in decreasing sexual activity and increasing condom use among Latino adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Engaging urban residents in assessing neighborhood environments and their implications for health.

Researchers have worked to delineate the manner in which urban environments reflect broader social processes, such as those creating racially, ethnically and economically segregated communities with vast differences in aspects of the built environment, opportunity structures, social environments, and environmental exposures. Interdisciplinary research is essential to gain an enhanced understanding of the complex relationships between these stressors and protective factors in urban environments and health. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways that multiple factors may intersect to influence the social and physical context and health within three areas of Detroit, Michigan. We describe the study design and results from seven focus groups conducted by the Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP) and how the results informed the development of a survey questionnaire and environmental audit tool. The findings from the stress process exercise used in the focus groups described here validated the relevance of a number of existing concepts and measures, suggested modifications of others, and evoked several new concepts and measures that may not have been captured without this process, all of which were subsequently included in the survey and environmental audit conducted by HEP. Including both qualitative and quantitative methods can enrich research and maximize the extent to which research questions being asked and hypotheses being tested are driven by the experiences of residents themselves, which can enhance our efforts to identify strategies to improve the physical and social environments of urban areas and, in so doing, reduce inequities in health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Recruitment and retention of Latino adolescents to a research study: lessons learned from a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To describe facilitators and barriers to participation and retention of Latino adolescents in a randomized clinical trial. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were part of a randomized clinical trial designed to reduce HIV sexual risk behavior among Latino youth. Responses from 106 randomly selected respondents from the 3-month follow-up were content analyzed. RESULTS: Four main facilitator patterns emerged: peer/family support, program incentives, commitment, and desire to help. Participation barriers included conflicts with other commitments, embarrassment, and lack of peer support. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Recruitment and retention of Latino adolescents in research studies is critical to building a research base for nursing practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Introduction: Eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.

Numerous policy, research, and practice recommendations have been developed to address the persistent disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Although nurse researchers have made significant contributions in addressing health disparities, there are significant gaps that remain to be addressed. Racial and ethnic minority nurses and nurse researchers have played a significant role in addressing health disparities. The individual and collective contributions of this group of nurses in addressing health disparities is included in this Introduction. Recommendations from chapters presented in this volume of the Annual Review of Nursing Research are highlighted.

Cultural Diversity↗
PubMed2003

La uniendo de fronteras: collaboration to develop HIV prevention strategies for Mexican and Latino youth.

AIDS is a global epidemic. Regardless of the present incidence of AIDS, all countries must confront the threat of this devastating disease. The shared border and continued migration between Mexico and the United States as well as shared concerns about HIV/AIDS are compelling reasons to promote AIDS prevention as an important public health endeavor for both countries. This article describes collaborative efforts between nurse researchers in the United States and Mexico to decrease the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection among adolescents. The significance of this effort to both countries and the processes and preliminary work that led to the development of a study funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Exploring contraceptive pill taking among Hispanic women in the United States.

Data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth have previously shown greater risk of inconsistent contraceptive pill use among Hispanic women. We used the same data to test aculturally based model of pill use among the subsample of Hispanic women. Hierarchical logit analyses revealed that primary use of Spanish, negative attitudes about women in the workplace, two or more recent sex partners, and recent pill adoption were factors that increased the odds of inconsistent use. Living alone or with non-kin was associated with more consistent use, as were showing preference for a stay-at-home model of motherhood, frequent church attendance, and frequent sexual intercourse. Our findings suggest that the strong effects of behavioral variables (e.g., duration of pill use, number of sex partners) are mediated by cultural indicators (e.g., primary use of Spanish, attitudes about sex roles). The extent to which programs address important cultural dimensions of health behaviors could enhance effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The health of Latino children: urgent priorities, unanswered questions, and a research agenda.

Latinos recently became the largest racial/ethnic minority group of US children. The Latino Consortium of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Child Health Research, consisting of 13 expert panelists, identified the most important urgent priorities and unanswered questions in Latino child health. Conclusions were drawn when consensus was reached among members, with refinement through multiple iterations. A consensus statement with supporting references was drafted and revised. This article summarizes the key issues, including lack of validated research instruments, frequent unjustified exclusion from studies, and failure to analyze data by pertinent subgroups. Latino children are at high risk for behavioral and developmental disorders, and there are many unanswered questions about their mental health needs and use of services. The prevalence of dental caries is disproportionately higher for Latino children, but the reasons for this disparity are unclear. Culture and language can profoundly affect Latino children's health, but not enough cultural competency training of health care professionals and provision of linguistically appropriate care occur. Latinos are underrepresented at every level of the health care professions. Latino children are at high risk for school dropout, environmental hazards, obesity, diabetes mellitus, asthma, lack of health insurance, nonfinancial barriers to health care access, and impaired quality of care, but many key questions in these areas remain unanswered. This article suggests areas in which more research is needed and ways to improve research and care of Latino children.

Asthma↗
PubMed2002

El cambio de vida: conceptualizations of menopause and midlife among urban Latina women.

The experience of menopause among Latina women has seldom been described. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize and contextualize the experience of menopause from the perspective of Latina women. A series of focus group sessions were conducted with postmenopausal Latina women living in a large midwestern city. Themes derived from content analysis included: (a) The primacy of health and the importance of harmony and balance; (b) El cambio de vida--something you have to go through; and (c) This time is for me: reorientation and restructuring. Rediscovery and redefinition as opposed to being defined by physical symptoms marked this life phase. Implications of study findings are discussed within the context of an emerging biopsychosocial perspective of midlife and menopause transition.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Designing a culturally based intervention to reduce HIV sexual risk for Latino adolescents.

There is a pressing need to develop effective interventions to prevent sexually transmitted HIV infection among Latino adolescents. Although there have been few models to direct the design of culturally effective interventions, the processes of recognizing the influence of specific cultural and contextual variables, building on "what works," and integrating community perspectives are important elements. These processes were used in the development of a Latino culturally based curriculum designed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV among Latino youth. Specific examples are provided to illustrate how these processes were used and how the curriculum evolved.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting intentions and condom use among Latino college students.

To understand the factors that predict Latinos' risk-associated behavior, this study examined whether favorable beliefs about condoms and select moderator variables are related to stronger intentions to use condoms and more reported condom use at most recent vaginal and anal intercourse among Latino college students. Latino students who attended a public university in the northeast United States were mailed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Results from completed questionnaires (n = 199) indicated that students who perceived greater partner approval of condom use, perceived greater peer approval of condom use, and expressed confidence in their ability to control themselves reported stronger intentions to used condoms. Perceived partner approval and impulse control was related to self-reported condom use at most recent vaginal intercourse, impulse control was related to self-reported condom use at most recent vaginal intercourse, and impulse control was related to self-reported condom use at most recent anal intercourse. These relations did not significantly differ by Hispanic ethnicity, religiosity, gender, or age. Results suggest that normative beliefs and control beliefs regarding impulse control may be especially salient in both predicting and changing condom use behavior and should be incorporated into nursing assessments and tailored interventions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of sexual intercourse and condom use intentions among Spanish-dominant Latino youth: a test of the planned behavior theory.

BACKGROUND: Spanish-dominant Latino youth represent a growing yet underserved segment of the U.S. population, especially in terms of protection from sexually transmitted HIV infection. There is evidence to suggest that this subgroup engages in both risk and protective behaviors that may be different from the behaviors of English-dominant Latino youth. OBJECTIVE: To examine theoretical predictors (attitude, subjective norm, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs) of sexual intercourse and condom use with a sample of Spanish-dominant Latino youth. METHODS: Participants in this study were part of a larger randomized controlled intervention designed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV among Latino youth. This article is based on preintervention data from 141 Spanish-speaking Latino adolescents (77 girls and 64 boys) who completed a Spanish version of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses showed significant effects of attitudes, perceived partner approval, self-pride, and parental pride on intentions to engage in sexual intercourse. Attitudes, intentions to engage in sex in the next 3 months, self-pride, parental pride, goals, and partner approval predicted sexual intercourse in the preceding 3 months. Attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy, partner and parental approval, and impulse control beliefs were significant predictors of intentions to use condoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents initial efforts to address the needs of Spanish-dominant Latino youth. The identification of salient beliefs that may predict sexual risk and protective behavior are relevant to the design of culturally and linguistically effective interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Leadership development of Hispanic nurses.

The underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority nurses and other health professions has been linked to the continued disparities in health outcomes for these populations (Institute of Medicine. Unequal Treatment. Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2002). Strategies to reduce health disparities, such as increasing the cultural competence of majority nurses, often depend on leaders of the same racial and ethnic groups to provide leadership in research, education, practice, and communities. However, little is known about the leadership pathways of racial and ethnic minority nurses. In this descriptive study, 22 Hispanic nurse leaders completed an open-ended survey related to their definitions of leadership, and challenges and opportunities in their leadership development. Although there are similarities in many aspects of leadership development, the lack of Hispanics in the workplace, the ability and responsibilities related to being bilingual and bicultural, and perceived discrimination in the work setting are additional challenges identified by Hispanic nurses. The importance of role models and mentors in facilitating leadership development is a dominant theme. Results of this study provide direction not only for the development of leadership for Hispanic nurses but also for other racial and ethnic minority nurses.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determinants of physical activity and low-fat diet among low income African American and Hispanic middle school students.

African Americans, Hispanics, and those with low income experience disproportionate health problems that can be prevented by physical activity and a lower fat diet. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, antecedents of diet and exercise within the Health Promotion/Transtheoretical Model were examined among low-income African American and Hispanic seventh-grade students (n = 127). Total support was associated with higher physical activity for girls. African Americans perceived greater social support for activity than Hispanics. Family models and support for physical activity and low-fat diet were greater as family income increased. However, higher family role models and lower dietary fat were found among the lowest income Hispanic students' residing ZIP code with a higher concentration of Hispanics and greater availability of Hispanic foods and culture. A school-based approach may be useful to build peer support for physical activity and lower dietary fat. Parish nurse or clinic settings may be most appropriate for building family role models and support. Living in a neighborhood with traditional Hispanic culture and foods appears to have ameliorated the harmful effects of lower income, although further study with larger samples followed over time is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beyond stereotypes: promoting safer sex behaviors among Latino adolescents.

Latino youth are at increasing risk for consequences of risky sexual behavior including pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as HIV infection. The diversity among Latinos and the prevalence of stereotypes about Latino sexual altitudes, beliefs, and behaviors present barriers in effective prevention and treatment. Strategies for promoting safe sex among Latino adolescents include recognizing the diversity among Latino adolescents and assessing attitudes, beliefs, and values that can be used to support safer sex behaviors.

Adolescent↗