Florida: Breaking Barriers -- Language, Religion Hinder Frank Talk About AIDS

HIV prevention outreach workers targeting Latinos in Polk County face a number of challenges. Fear of deportation "is a big problem," said Catalina Mondragon, a Hispanic HIV outreach worker with the Polk County Health Department. Many Latino residents are poor and lack transportation to centralized HIV testing sites.

Discussing how HIV is transmitted can involve subjects many Hispanics may be uncomfortable with, such as non-marital and male-to-male sex and drug use. Many Hispanics are Catholics, and church teachings prohibit using birth control, including condoms to prevent HIV. "In Mexico, it's really taboo. You don't talk about stuff like that, especially sex," said Karla Velazquez, 21, who came to Polk County from Mexico when she was four.

"We want to establish a Latino Week of Prayer -- a week of prayer for HIV/AIDS," said Sandra Estevez, state coordinator of Hispanic HIV/AIDS program. "Start with prayer to be compassionate, to help reduce the stigma. Everybody should know their status. Do a test." The state Department of Health initiative Latinas United Against AIDS (LUCES) is preparing a DVD on HIV/AIDS to distribute statewide. Its goals will include raising awareness, linking people to resources, and teaching them how to educate others.

Mondragon has found in-home programs are more helpful reaching Hispanic women who have questions. "They feel comfortable to talk about anything," she said. Men can be reached with education and testing programs in public places, such as bars and markets, she said.

At one recent Auburndale home meeting, 20 participants heard Mondragon discuss how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent infection. While acknowledging church teachings, Mondragon knows many Catholics do use birth control, and she demonstrated proper condom use for the group. After the program, she and a co-worker provided free HIV testing.

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