Outcomes from a male-to-male promotores intervention in an emerging Latino community
J Immigr Minor Health
Emerging Latino communities experience social isolation and lack services tailored to their culture. Few male-to-male promotores (community health workers in Spanish) interventions exist. This 6-month participatory study aimed to improve social support, healthcare access, depressive symptoms, and decrease alcohol consumption among Latino immigrant men. Promotores delivered non-directive social support to participants recruited from community venues. We analyzed baseline and 6-month questionnaires data (n = 89) using paired chi square tests. All participants were immigrants; 47% had not finished high school, 29% had depression symptoms, 35% reported past month binge drinking and 93% were uninsured. The intervention significantly improved having a usual source of care (24 to 43%), doctor’s visits (41 to 62%) and dentist’s visits (27 to 42%) in the past year. Other outcomes did not improve. Male promotores increased healthcare access among vulnerable Latino men. Addressing drinking behavior and depression may require longer interventions or specialized providers.
Documet PI, Macia L, Boyzo R, Thompson AF, Amruthapuri R. Outcomes from a male-to-male promotores intervention in an emerging Latino community. J Immigr Minor Health. 2020 Aug;22(4):717-726. doi: 10.1007/s10903-019-00939-w. PMID: 31617052.