Cultural competence in a group intervention designed for Latino patients living with HIV/AIDS

Although the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, addressing the psychosocial needs of patients living with HIV/AIDS remains vital. Ensuring the effective delivery of services demands that interventions be rooted in cultural competence and aimed at vulnerable populations. This article describes a group intervention designed for Latino patients living with HIV/AIDS in NewYork City. The intervention effectively integrates culturally competent practice with traditional social work practice with groups' skills to provide an arena for participants to explore issues commonly faced by patients living with HIV/AIDS in a cultural context. Case examples are used to describe themes that emerged during the intervention, which illustrate cultural influences on issues such as adherence, social isolation, stigma, disclosure, safer sex practices, and patient-provider communication. Cultural factors inherent to Latino culture that are known to influence a patient's health experience and the development of effective interventions are also presented. The identification and explanation of these factors is intended to help social workers and other health care professionals better understand the roots of Latino patients' beliefs and understanding of their HIV/AIDS condition as well as highlight some of the obstacles they cause.