Fall 2004 Scholar-in-Residence:

	Dr. Susan Wycoff Professor, Counselor Education HIV/AIDS Prevention for MSM[1] Latino Men: A Campus-Community Collaborative Needs Assessment
Read Dr. Wycoff's Report

Description of Project

While the global problem of HIV/AIDS continues to expand among men ages 25 to 44, the problem has become an epidemic of mostly ethnic minority men for the first time in the United States (Aboud, 1998; Centers for Disease Control, 1993, 2000; Mays, 1993; Webb & Truax, 2002). As an overlapping member of two high-risk groups: Latinos –and—MSM, Latino men have been highly and disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS virus (Chang & Geliga-Vargas, 1999; Lehner & Chiasson, 1997; Myers, et al., 2003; Wohl, et al., 2002). In California, HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately impact the MSM male population, with subpopulations of Latino and African-American MSM experiencing particularly dramatic increases in rates of new infections (Centers for Disease Control, 2000; Lehner & Chiasson, 1997; Valleroy, et al., 2003; Webb & Truax, 2002). Using a mixed methods approach, a purposive sample will be drawn of Latino MSM identified as high risk for HIV/AIDS. Participants in this study will be recruited from a local multi-service mental health agency servicing Latinos. The agency's mission is to promote healthy lives through education, prevention, intervention, compassion and understanding, while addressing the social problems experienced within the Latino community. While this agency has traditionally provided outreach, education and referrals for substance abuse treatment, it is responding to the increased needs of the community by providing more HIV/AIDS services. The proposed research project will consist of a needs assessment of a culturally tailored program designed to reduce HIV/AIDS risk among MSM Latino men receiving services.

[1] MSM = Men Who Have Sex With Men but Self-Identify as Heterosexual. Considered a more precise and sensitive term. MSM may be heterosexual or bisexual in orientation. It is the sexual act rather than the sexual orientation that increases the chances of infection. MSM is the leading exposure category for persons with HIV/AIDS, representing 66% of all persons living with HIV/AIDS (Aboud, 1998; Centers for Disease Control, 2000; Wohl et al, 2002).