The primary mission of El Centro is to advance the scientific development and evaluation of culturally-tailored interventions in a constellation of behaviorally-rooted health conditions that disproportionately affect Hispanics and other minority groups. El Centro sponsors a pilot studies program designed to assist researchers to build programs of research related to El Centro mission. Pilot studies are intended to provide preliminary data to be used for future study proposals.

Principal Investigator: Jose Guillermo Castro, M.D.

Abstract
ACI intends to provide qualitative and quantitative data of attitudes and beliefs surrounding male circumcision. This data will be used in the formulation of culturally appropriate interventions, designed to promote circumcision as part of an HIV prevention strategy in the Hispanic community. Several lines of evidence have found that male circumcision provides a strong protective effect (55% to 60%) against acquisition of HIV infection among heterosexual men. Hispanics have the second highest rates of HIV infection in the U.S. and the lowest rates of male circumcision. Before interventions to promote male circumcision can be introduced in the Hispanic community, additional information is necessary to determine the factors that are related to the acceptability of this practice among Hispanics.

Principal Investigator: Maria Lopez, PsyD

Abstract
HISPACARE will assess the relationship of acculturation, health literacy (i.e., HIV knowledge and neurocognitive functioning) and other psychosocial factors to adherence patterns and healthcare utilization among HIV positive Hispanics from different age groups. The information obtained will serve as the basis for the development of a culturally-tailored intervention designed to promote healthcare use and adherence among Hispanics living with HIV. Healthcare utilization and medication adherence are critical issues for HIV+ Latinos, given that they are often diagnosed at more advanced disease stages and are at greater risk for the development of AIDS and early death (Campo et al., 2005; Swindells et al., 2002). The level of acculturation and health literacy have independently been found to affect HIV adherence and healthcare utilization among Latinos (Bianchi, et al., 2004; Garcia-Teague, 2000).

Principal Investigator: Elias Vasquez, PhD, Joseph De Santis, PhD, and Rosa M. Gonzalez, MSN, MPH, Co-Investigators.

Abstract
Project VIDA will use qualitative and quantitative methods to inform the adaptation of the SEPA (Salud-Health, Educación-Education, Promoción-Prommotion, Autocuidado-Self-Care) intervention focusing on the prevention/reduction of substance abuse, violence victimization/perpetration and risky sexual behaviors that specifically target Hispanic heterosexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM). Specific Aims are:

1. To describe the collective and individual experience of community-dwelling Hispanic heterosexual men and MSM with respect to substance abuse, violence, and intimate/sexual relationships;
2. To investigate the prevalence/levels of outcomes variables (substance abuse, violence perpetration and victimization, risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs); factors that would likely be targeted in the SEPA intervention (partner communication, gender roles attitudes, depression, self-esteem, HIV knowledge) and culture-related factors (acculturation, culture-related stress, familism);
3. To use these findings to design adaptations to SEPA for Hispanic heterosexual men and MSM. The proposed study will build upon a program of research on the SEPA intervention and risk-taking behaviors in Hispanic adults.  At the end of the pilot study, the research team will develop and submit separate applications for independent funding to conduct Stage I studies of SEPA for Hispanic heterosexual men and MSM.

Principal Investigator: Victoria Mitrani, PhD

Abstract
This study aims to conduct basic research and clinical development to adapt/refine Structural Ecosystems Therapy (SET; Mitrani, Szapocznik & Robinson-Batista, 2000) to improve medication adherence and continuity of medical care, and reduce depressive symptoms among Hispanic HIV+ women in prenatal care. SET is a family-ecological intervention designed to improve the psychosocial functioning and health of minority women with HIV/AIDS. This study builds upon a program of research on SET for HIV+ women, and will lead to a future application to follow-up on the women in this study and conduct a small randomized trial to obtain outcome effect sizes of the newly adapted SET for Hispanic HIV+ women in prenatal care. Specific Aims of the proposed study include:

1. To develop adaptations of SET to improve adherence to the prenatal regimen and continuity of medical care in HIV+ prenatal Hispanic women and incorporate the adaptations into the SET Intervention Manual;
2. To investigate the prevalence/levels and explore the linkages between:
   • outcome factors (HIV adherence/continuity of care, psychological distress);
   • factors that would likely be targeted in SET (HIV disclosure, HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, relationship with health care providers, domestic violence, family functioning);
   • culture-related factors (acculturation, culture-related stress, familism);
3. To assess the acceptability/feasibility of delivering SET within a prenatal clinic setting.

Principal Investigator: Rosa Maria Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MPH, RN

The Partnership for Domestic Violence Prevention (PDVP) is a one year community-based participatory research (CBPR) pilot project designed to:

1. Lay the groundwork for an infrastructure for the study and prevention of domestic violence at the community level; and,
2. Collect qualitative and quantitative data regarding the needs and preferences for domestic violence prevention programs targeting high-risk Hispanics in MDC.

This partnership brings together the talents and resources of two community-oriented research centers at UM, the NCMHD funded Center of Excellence for Hispanic Health Disparities Research at the School of Nursing and Health Studies (El Centro) and the Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-being Research Center at the School of Education (CEW), and a leading local domestic violence community organization, the Coordinated Victim Assistance Center (CVAC) within the MDC’s Department of Human Services, with an established record of collaboration with the University of Miami and a demonstrated commitment to promoting the well-being of Hispanics in MDC. Principles and methods of CBPR will be used to guide the design of the proposed study and engage the relevant Hispanic community in MDC in the research process through a 1-year long, two-staged process. Stage I (months 1-8) will employ community mobilization initiatives (i.e., formulation of a community advisory board [CAB]) and a combination of research methods (i.e., qualitative and quantitative) to complete a community assessment. Focus groups with service providers and community members, and analysis of existing data sets from CVAC and other collaborating organizations will be used to understand community concerns regarding IPV, identify high-risk groups, examine preferences for interventions, and generate input from community partners regarding existing IPV prevention interventions and their suitability to Hispanic groups in MDC. In Stage II (months 9-12) the results from the Stage I assessment will be presented to the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and the general community through community forums to obtain feedback regarding specific sub-group(s) that should be targeted (e.g., age, gender, immigrant status) through prevention efforts and to identify potential strategies to be incorporated into these programs. A workshop that will feature existing promising practices will also be arranged during this stage to facilitate the identification of promising practices.