The effect of a promotora-guided educational intervention and partner presence in improving condom use self-efficacy amongst partnered Latino adults

This study examined the effect of a promotora guided educational intervention in order to improve condom use within the Latino community. Effective and culturally appropriate strategies for promoting condom use within the Hispanic/Latino community in the United States are needed urgently because of the high prevalence of infection with unwanted pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases in the Hispanic/Latino groups.

This was a quasi-experimental two-group pretest-posttest study. The treatment group received an educational intervention that was conducted in English and Spanish in a closed classroom setting. Data were compared among the women entered at the 10 separate sessions as well as compared between the control and treatment groups. There were no significant differences in the 2 groups and the same CUSES scales were used for pre and post intervention.

The study hypothesis was supported by the data. Significant differences between the treatment and control groups at 6 weeks post intervention were found in the CUSES instrument and question number 30, Number of times couples used condoms in the past 30 days. The women in the treatment group reported higher scores in condom use self efficacy and the use of condoms in the past 30 days. There were no significant differences within the control group at 6 weeks post intervention.

Several conclusions and implications can be made regarding the study. Latina's are at a higher risk for developing STD's even if they are in committed relationships. More culturally sensitive classes can be effective teaching women in this population and this educational intervention can serve as a model for other teaching programs. Also, professional healthcare providers who utilize culturally sensitive approaches to their Latino clients will decrease STD morbidity rates in the community they provide care. This study may be useful in helping both healthcare providers and community groups who help raise health awareness in understanding Latino participants in future studies.

Research studies examining Latino couples and condom use have been limited. Therefore, future studies will add to the existing knowledge of reducing STD morbidity through increasing Latino's condom use self efficacy and their understanding of the use of condoms in a committed relationship.