Hombres

Abstract

Brief Description HoMBReS is a community-level intervention developed for a rural Latino soccer league. Teams, comprised of 20 to 25 players, each elects one opinion leader who is trained as a lay health adviser, known as a Navegante or navigator. Navegantes complete 16 hours of training in 4 sessions. Session 1 is focused on providing an overview of HoMBReS including the purpose, the roles and responsibilities of Navegantes , and how to use the HoMBReS Resource Manuals and risk-reduction materials. Session 2 provides information ab out common STI, correct HIV prevention information, and how to distinguish facts from misperceptions. In this session, Navegantes learn how to model correct HIV prevention behavior though activities focused on proper condom use and how to share HIV prevent ion resources and information with their teammates. The remaining 2 sessions focus on the specific roles and responsibilities of being a Navegante and how to evaluate program progress through activity logs and team member interviews. After completing the t raining, the Navegantes work to improve their community’s health (1) as lay health advisers providing HIV/STI information, condoms, and referrals and increasing condom use skills, (2) as opinion leaders bolstering positive attitudes and reframing negative attitudes about what it means to be a Latino man and changing sexual health attitudes and norms, and (3) as community advocates for environmental change bringing the community voice to health service agencies. Navegantes hold monthly meetings to plan, coordinate, and evaluate their ongoing activities.