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Culturally relevant HIV interventions: transcending ethnicity
Rosanna DeMarco1, Anne E Norris
1William E Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Cushing Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3812, USA. rosanna.demarco@bc.edu
Journal of Cultural Diversity
|September 30, 2004
Summary
This study explored the cultural relevance of an HIV prevention film for teens. Findings showed the film resonated most with audiences sharing similar gender and socioeconomic backgrounds, highlighting the importance of targeted messaging in public health campaigns.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Film Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- An HIV prevention film for adolescents was created with input from African American women living with HIV.
- Concerns arose regarding the film's applicability to diverse cultural and ethnic groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cultural relevance and effectiveness of an HIV prevention film across diverse populations.
- To identify factors influencing audience reception of public health messaging.
Main Methods:
- The film underwent pretesting with various demographic groups, including African American and Latina teen girls.
- Adult participants included HIV providers of diverse backgrounds, and Latina, Cape Verdean, White women, and Haitian men and women.
- Qualitative and quantitative feedback was gathered to evaluate cultural resonance.
Main Results:
- Pretesting indicated that the film's cultural relevance was significantly influenced by shared gender identity and socioeconomic status.
- While diverse groups participated, the strongest connection was found among those with similar life experiences.
- The film's prevention messages were perceived differently across various cultural contexts.
Conclusions:
- Gender identity and socioeconomic status are critical factors in the perceived relevance of HIV prevention media.
- Future HIV prevention initiatives should consider tailoring messages to specific demographic and cultural contexts for maximum impact.
- Collaborative development with target communities remains essential for effective public health communication.