The role of peer support on condom use among Black and Latino MSM in three urban areas

Psychometric Performance of a Novel Measure of Social Support Among Spanish-Speaking Immigrant Latino Gay Men

Social support is protective for a variety of health outcomes, and individuals living outside their country of origin ("sojourners") might use social support in distinctive ways. The authors performed a confirmatory factor analysis of the 18-item Index of Sojourner Social Support (ISSS) using data obtained from 190 Spanish-speaking immigrant Latino gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) in North Carolina, a marginalized group for whom social support might be especially salient. The authors failed to replicate the original distinction between socioemotional and instrumental support; however, a reduced set of 11 ISSS items appeared to be a very good measure of a single latent factor, with high factor loadings (λ ≥ .87) and excellent internal consistency reliability (α = .97). The authors encourage further research to understand the psychometric properties of the ISSS, to further elaborate the most meaningful dimensions of social support among immigrant populations, and to establish whether associations exist between ISSS scores and health-related behaviors.

The forms and functions of peer social support for people living with HIV

Peers may be important sources of coping assistance, but their impact can be better understood if we examine their influence across various contexts. Although social support studies focused on people living with HIV have examined peer support in various contexts, they do not comprehensively account for situations in which peer support might be provided. The specific aims of this study were to (a) describe the various forms and functions of peer support for people living with HIV and (b) validate the Dennis (2003) concept analysis of peer support within health contexts. Results indicate that peer support is a potentially important adjunct to clinical care for enhancing coping skills, thereby improving the psychosocial functioning of people living with HIV. It is important to (a) assess patient access to peer support, (b) provide opportunities for peer support in the clinical setting, and (c) enhance disclosure and support-seeking skills to facilitate this benefit.

Rectal microbicides: can we make them and will people use them?

The results of the CAPRISA 004 and iPrEx HIV prevention studies have demonstrated that topical or systemic use of antiretroviral agents can significantly reduce the risk of HIV acquisition associated with unprotected vaginal or anal sexual intercourse. However, the effect size in these studies was relatively modest and product adherence was generally poor. These observations suggest the need for new approaches to HIV prevention, especially for high risk MSM. Rates of lubricant use are high in MSM practicing receptive anal sex. Consequently, the development of an antiretroviral rectal microbicide gel may provide a safe and effective means of preventing HIV infection with an intervention that is likely to have high acceptability among the target population. The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges and progress in the development of rectal microbicides for HIV prevention.