Gonzalez M, Suarez V, Ramirez GR; National HIV Prevention Conference (2003 : Atlanta, Ga.).
Abstr Book 2003 Natl HIV Prev Conf July 27 30 2003 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel Atlanta Ga Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 Atlanta Ga. 2003; abstract no. W0-G402.
The Farmworker Justice Fund, Inc,, Washington, DC
ISSUE: HIV/AIDS has steadily increased within minorities. In Latinos, the CDC states that nationally they, account for 13 percent of the population but 19 percent of new HIV infections. The National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality estimates the rate of HIV/ AIDS infection among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the US at 10 times the US national average, a large majority, Latinos. In the US there are approximately 14.7 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers, many with families, working and residing in the US, men, women and youth.SETTING: In creating this project FJF selected large migrant communities, some along the US-Mexico border as in Texas (El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley) and Arizona (Yuma and Cochise Counties). Others, not on the border but composed of large migrant populations such as in Florida (Lake Worth and Homestead) and California (the San Joaquin Valley).PROJECT: Several issues are addressed: (1) Use of lay health educators, Promotores de Salud in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in underserved populations in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner; (2) the importance of collaboration, particularly, with local CBOs supervising sites and assisting Promotores with outreach during project period; (3) the creation of new leaders within targeted communities.By recruiting Promotores directly from these communities, individuals that work, reside, and/or have demonstrated empathy for migrant issues, FJF is assuring everyone benefits from the role of the Promotores, who are taught about HIV/AIDS, STD's and Tuberculosis and are helped with their communication skills. Educational encounters are provided wherever, whenever and in accordance to their component, Adult or Youth. Promotores want to create: (1) awareness within this population of their risks for HIV/AIDS; (2) awareness of HIV Testing; (3) awareness of this populations need with other health providers and/ or migrant serving organizations.RESULTS: Since 1998 Promotores have provided awareness of HIV/ AIDS within this population. There are currently 215 Promotores, ages of 14-69, actively educating their communities. Additionally, a number have evolved as participating members of their local HIV Prevention Community Planning Councils as well as HIV Testers and Counselors. Over 50,000 migrant workers and family members have been educated, several hundreds have received oral HIV tests in the privacy of their homes and as importantly, other health servicing organizations have opened their doors, providing migrants with their services, making accommodations for their needs.LESSONS LEARNED: One of the most valuable lessons learned is that people should never be underestimated. Our target population is often illiterate, with little or no command of the English language, lacking regular healthcare, and working and/or residing in communities in which they are often viewed as outsiders. However, once given the opportunity to provide a service for their families and other community members, they flourish. Providing Promotores with this opportunity is beneficial to all, them because of the self esteem they develop and the knowledge they acquire about controlling their destiny; their communities because they ensure others learn to protect themselves; and other organizations because they serve as the link between their services and our target population.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adult
- Arizona
- California
- Demography
- Family
- Female
- Florida
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Mexico
- Minority Groups
- Organizations
- Population
- Teaching
- Texas
- Transients and Migrants
- methods
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102262335
From Meeting Abstracts