Full Research Studies

Reducing Health Disparities in Hispanic Youth: Changing Trajectories

Daniel Santisteban, Principal Investigator; Lourdes Suarez-Morales, PhD, and Maite Mena, PsyD, Co-Investigators.

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of a highly promising "Culturally Informed Family Therapy for Adolescents" in preventing the emergence of two important health disparities in Hispanic youth, namely drug use & HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). This study investigates: 1) the efficacy of the treatment in reducing existing psychiatric, behavioral and family problems in youth, and 2) the indicated prevention effects of the intervention on the emergence of drug use and HIV/STI 20 months after baseline. Conduct disorder (CD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive disorders (DD) will be targets of treatment, as will be the family risk factors (e.g., poor parenting, family conflict) and acculturation-related stressors. Adolescents and their families will be randomly assigned to either the (1) Community Treatment as Usual Agency, or the (2) Culturally Informed Family Therapy for Adolescents. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T1), post-treatment (T2- 4 months), follow-up 1 (T3- 12 months post baseline) and follow-up 2 (T4- 20 months post baseline). Data from service utilization and self-reports of therapeutic alliance will also be collected throughout the entire course of therapy. Longitudinal data analysis (growth curve modeling) will be used to test study hypotheses.

SEPA II: HIV Intervention Reducing Health Disparities Among Hispanic Women

Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, Principal Investigator; Rosina Cianelli, PhD, Project Director and Co-Investigator; Jose G. Castro, MD, Co-Investigator.

Abstract

SEPA II tests the efficacy of an HIV risk reduction intervention, SEPA (Salud-Health, Educación-Education, Prevencion-Prevention, Autocuidado-Self-Care) delivered by Hispanic women, and tailored to the specific needs of Hispanic women. The intervention will be tested using a randomized design with follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months after completion of the intervention. Women will be assigned either to the SEPA treatment or to a no-treatment control group (women in the control group will be offered an abbreviated version of SEPA after their participation in the research is completed). Given that people who get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are 2-5 times more likely to become infected with HIV (Center for Disease Control, [CDC] 2006) and Chlamydia is a very common STI, the study will use clinical test to assess for the presence of Chlamydia to assess risk. The Chlamydia test will be performed at 6 and 12 months. There will be a booster session at 6 months. Approximately 540 women aged 18 to 50, who report sexual activity during the past 3 months will be recruited into the study from multiple sites throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.