Increasing education on HIV prevention and other infectious diseases among bilingual Hispanics and Latinos in Shelby County, Memphis, TN

Abstract

This podcast significantly provides education to both Spanish and English audiences in collaboration with resources and organizations in the community such as Latino Memphis. This qualitative study aimed to explore the living experiences of individuals in the communities and address misconceptions of Infectious diseases, stigma, and other concerns. Data will be collected by pre and post surveys via anonymous voicemail and survey monkey links on social media. The analysis was used to find common themes asked by the audience. The four main themes that could be found are (1) the importance of infectious diseases, (2) how and where to access resources, (3) starting conversations about HIV with partners and family, (4) how to address stigma and self-empowerment with other resources. The results highlight the importance of education by redirecting stigma, and misconceptions about HIV in the Latino and Hispanic community in Memphis. This gives them resources and liberty of asking questions to these organizations and topics presented or requested. These insights have implications for developing strategies to actively engage the community with virtual opportunities by the comfort of their digital devices to support them with answers to HIV and prevention while speaking in a friendly, relaxed conversation with health professionals and the audience.

Currently, the immigrant community is facing many issues of discrimination and injustices. By having this podcast virtually, it will be an assessable platform and accessible for everyone to provide the same quality of education and resources for all.