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. 2023 Mar-Apr;17(2):15579883231167106.
doi: 10.1177/15579883231167106.

Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Test of Connecting Latinos en Parejas: A Couples-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Latino Male Couples

Omar Martinez  1 , M Isabel Fernandez  2 , Cui Yang  3 , Elwin Wu  4 , Omar Valentin  5 , Mallory Johnson  6
Affiliations

Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Test of Connecting Latinos en Parejas: A Couples-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Latino Male Couples

Omar Martinez et al. Am J Mens Health. 2023 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Despite recent emphasis on couples-based HIV prevention interventions, efficacious interventions for Latino male couples have yet to be tested. The study examined the feasibility and acceptability of the Connecting Latinos en Pareja (CLP) intervention, a couples-based HIV prevention intervention for Latino male couples. This pilot demonstrated high feasibility, meeting targets for recruitment, retention, and intervention completion. We recruited a diverse cohort of 46 individuals/23 couples with a retention rate of 80% over 6 months and a 100% intervention completion rate in both conditions (four structured couple sessions in each condition). This pilot RCT was not powered to detect significant intervention impact on the primary outcome; however, there was a significant increase in relationship functioning among couples in the intervention group relative to controls and promising trends in changes in several key outcome and mediating variables. Secondary analysis documented trends in the expected directions for several other key hypothesized mechanisms of action (stimulant use, psychological symptoms, quality of life) as well as the primary outcome of proportion of protected sex acts (overall and broken out by main vs. outside partners). Qualitative exit interviews revealed high levels of acceptability of the CLP intervention. Participants highlighted affective component of the intervention and perceived effectiveness in improving dyadic communication skills and safer sex practices. Our findings show that a pilot trial of CLP is highly feasible and acceptable, with CLP demonstrating promising evidence of changes in key intervention mechanisms.

Keywords: Latino male couples; couples-based HIV prevention; feasibility and acceptability trial.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potentior publ/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Moderators, Mediators, and Outcomes
Figure 2
Figure 2
Who’s in Mi Casa? Activity
Figure 3
Figure 3
Role-Play
Figure 4
Figure 4
Recruitment Material
Figure 5
Figure 5
Protected Sex Acts for CLP Compared With WP Controls Note. CLP = Connecting Latinos en Parejal; WP = wellness promotion.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Mechanism Trends for CLP Compared With WP Controls Note. CLP = Connecting Latinos en Parejal; WP = wellness promotion.
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