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¡Cuídate!

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The ¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself) program is a HIV reduction intervention for Latino youth. Small, mixed-gender groups receive HIV education and risk-reduction skills in six, 60-minute modules delivered in schools over two consecutive Saturdays. The program uses cultural beliefs such as the importance of family and gender-role expectations to present condom use and abstinence as acceptable and effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Cuídate, offered in English and Spanish, utilizes role playing, videos, music, group discussion, interactive games, and hands-on practice to understand risk of infection and build skills for safer sex practices.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Cuídate is to reduce HIV transmission among Latino youth through culturally tailored programming.

Results / Accomplishments

The Cuídate intervention results in safer sexual practices. At 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, the more than 300 participants in the program were significantly less likely to report sexual intercourse (p < 0.05), multiple partners (p < 0.05), or days of unprotected sexual intercourse (p < 0.05) when compared to a control group provided general health education. Intervention participants were more likely to report using condoms consistently when compared to those who did not participate in the program (p < 0.05). Among Spanish speaking participants those in the intervention group had a greater proportion of protected sex (p < 0.01) and were more likely to have used a condom at last sex (p < 0.05).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University of Michigan School of Nursing
Primary Contact
Antonia M Villarruel, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Room 433 Fagin Hall
418 Curie Blvd.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4217
UNITED STATES
(215) 898-8283
nursingdean@nursing.upenn.edu
http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/faculty/profile.asp?p...
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
University of Michigan School of Nursing
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date of publication
2006
Date of implementation
2001
Location
Philadelphia, PA
For more details
Target Audience
Teens, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance