Telenovela Intervention for HIV Prevention in Latinas

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Claire Barrington, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Disqualifiers: HIV positive, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online telenovela (soap opera) called "Infección de Amor" to determine its effectiveness in increasing HIV prevention among Latinas. The goal is to improve behaviors such as condom use, awareness, and access to HIV prevention methods like PrEP (a medication to prevent HIV). Participants will watch episodes that highlight HIV risk situations and ways to avoid them. The trial seeks Latinas in North Carolina who have been sexually active with a man in the last six months, have internet access, and are fluent in English or Spanish. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative HIV prevention strategies tailored for the Latina community.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for Latinas?

Research has shown that the Infección de Amor (Infectious Love) telenovela project remains in the testing phase. Currently, no studies provide specific safety data because the intended audience has not yet participated. However, since the project involves watching episodes online, it is generally considered low-risk. No reports of physical side effects exist, as it does not involve medication or physical treatment. The main goal is to change behaviors related to HIV prevention by raising awareness and promoting safe practices. This educational approach is usually well-received, as it focuses on education rather than direct physical intervention. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Telenovela Intervention for HIV Prevention in Latinas because it uses a unique approach to educate and empower women in a culturally relevant way. Unlike standard interventions that might involve clinical settings or generic educational materials, this method leverages engaging storytelling through a telenovela called "Infección de Amor" (Infectious Love). This format not only captures attention but also provides relatable scenarios that highlight HIV risk and prevention strategies, making the information more accessible and memorable. By integrating health education into entertainment, this intervention has the potential to reach audiences who might not engage with traditional prevention methods, ultimately aiming to improve HIV prevention behaviors effectively.

What evidence suggests that this intervention could be effective for HIV prevention in Latinas?

Research shows that the telenovela "Infección de Amor" was created to promote HIV prevention behaviors, such as using condoms and getting tested for HIV. In this trial, one group of participants will watch "Infección de Amor" episodes immediately after the baseline survey, while a wait-listed control group will begin viewing the episodes 7 months later. Early findings suggest that similar telenovelas have successfully encouraged health behavior changes by telling relatable stories with familiar characters. This method engages viewers with culturally relevant content, raising awareness and encouraging positive health choices. Since "Infección de Amor" is specifically designed for Latinas, it is expected to connect well with its audience, possibly leading to more HIV prevention actions. While direct evidence for this particular series is limited, using dramatized stories for health education has shown promise in other situations. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Natalia Villegas Rodriguez, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for self-identified Latinas, aged 18-44, living in North Carolina who are sexually active with men and have internet access. They must be fluent in English or Spanish and assigned female at birth.

Inclusion Criteria

Have internet access from any device

Reside in NC

I was assigned female at birth.

Exclusion Criteria

Do not have access to internet

HIV positive

I do not want to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Usability Testing

Participants test the feasibility and acceptability of the IA intervention website and provide feedback

1 month

1 online orientation

Randomized Controlled Trial

Participants view four IA intervention episodes, one per week, and complete post-episode surveys

4 weeks

Weekly online access to episodes

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in HIV prevention behaviors with surveys at 1 month and 7 months post-baseline

6 months

Surveys at 1 month and 7 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Infección de Amor

Trial Overview The study tests an online telenovela-style intervention called 'Infección de Amor' aimed at improving HIV prevention behaviors among Latinas. It will compare changes in condom use, HIV testing, and PrEP awareness between participants watching the episodes and a control group over seven months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Wait-listed Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A wait-listed control group of 71 Latinas will receive IA in the same manner as the intervention group. Latinas will start watching the telenovela episodes 7 months after their baseline survey (after T3 survey). Latinas will be informed at recruitment of this group condition and the study randomization. During the waiting time, participants will be called on a monthly basis to encourage participation and refer to services if needed.

Group II: Infección de Amor (Infectious Love) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

71 Latinas will view four IA intervention episodes, one per week immediately after the baseline survey and orientation. Participants will receive an email to their preferred email address with a password to access to the episode on the IA's website: www.telenoveladeamor.com Each 10-minute episode can be watched more than once during the week and presents a situation with notable HIV risk and ways the characters avoided risk (e.g., condom use) or confronted consequences of poor practices (e.g., HIV infection). The one week time frame for each episode is needed to provide time to review and reflect about IA's content and modify HIV prevention behaviors. It will also allow Latinas to obtain information and support from the team and referral if needed. This time frame was effective to improve behaviors in previous studies.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Guide-Enhanced Love, Sex, and Choices (GELSC) video series was effective in influencing sexual behaviors among at-risk Black urban women, with 40 participants engaging with the content after recruitment through Facebook ads.

The study demonstrated the feasibility of using Facebook for recruiting high-risk participants, achieving a recruitment rate of 10 per week, which is an improvement over previous methods, and successfully retaining participants for follow-up assessments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Is Your Man Stepping Out?" An Online Pilot Study to Evaluate Acceptability of a Guide-Enhanced HIV Prevention Soap Opera Video Series and Feasibility of Recruitment by Facebook Advertising. Jones, R., Lacroix, LJ., Nolte, K.[2022]

A culturally appropriate meta-intervention significantly increased the intention to enroll in HIV-prevention counseling among Latino participants, with 96% of those in the experimental group expressing interest compared to only 53% in the control group.

The positive effects of the meta-intervention were consistent across different genders and ages, suggesting it could be a broadly effective strategy for improving participation in HIV-prevention programs within the Latino community.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing cultural and psychological barriers to Latino enrollment in HIV-prevention counseling: initial data on an enrollment meta-intervention. Wilson, K., Durantini, MR., Albarracín, J., et al.[2021]

A study involving 274 Hispanic women in South Florida found that 57% engaged in the SEPA educational intervention, indicating a willingness to participate in group support despite risks of HIV and intimate partner violence.

Factors such as education level, experiences of intimate partner violence, and acculturation significantly influenced engagement, highlighting the need for tailored outreach to connect with women who have lower education and are at higher risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participation in SEPA, a sexual and relational health intervention for Hispanic women. Mitrani, VB., McCabe, BE., Gonzalez-Guarda, RM., et al.[2021]

A study conducted in Botswana found that viewers of the television drama The Bold and the Beautiful, which featured a positive portrayal of HIV, reported significantly lower levels of HIV-related stigma compared to nonviewers.

The results suggest that media portrayals of HIV in a compassionate and accepting way can effectively reduce stigma associated with the disease, highlighting the potential of television as a tool for public health education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between exposure to an HIV story line in The Bold and the Beautiful and HIV-related stigma in Botswana. O'Leary, A., Kennedy, M., Pappas-DeLuca, KA., et al.[2019]

A culturally tailored telenovela was developed to promote HIV prevention behaviors among Latinas, addressing the urgent need for effective interventions in this community.

The study involved 44 Spanish-speaking Latinas aged 18-35, and the telenovela was created based on their feedback, highlighting the importance of community involvement in health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Infección de Amor (Infectious Love): Development and Acceptability of a Telenovela/Soap Opera Intervention for HIV Prevention For Latinas. Villegas, N., Norris, AE., Cianelli, R., et al.[2023]

Latina women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) are particularly concerned about HIV infection, primarily due to partner infidelity and experiences of forced sex, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Focus groups revealed that monolingual Latinas had lower HIV knowledge and were more likely to discuss myths about the virus, while bilingual Latinas engaged more with prevention techniques, indicating that HIV/AIDS prevention programs must be culturally tailored to address the specific needs and knowledge gaps of this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promotion of Latina Health: Intersectionality of IPV and Risk for HIV/AIDS. Rountree, MA., Granillo, T., Bagwell-Gray, M.[2021]

The Sólo Se Vive Una Vez campaign, aimed at improving HIV testing among Latinx immigrants in Baltimore, did not increase the overall number of Latinx individuals getting tested for HIV.

However, those who were exposed to the campaign showed higher rates of high-risk sexual behaviors and substance use, along with increased referrals for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) through the outreach team.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sólo Se Vive Una Vez: Evaluation of a Social Marketing Campaign Promoting HIV Screening and Prevention for Immigrant Latinxs. Shah, HS., Grieb, SMD., Flores-Miller, A., et al.[2022]

The study identified key sociocultural factors influencing HIV risk among adult Latino men, highlighting barriers to healthcare access and the impact of traditional masculinity on risk behaviors.

Engaging Latino soccer leagues as social networks presents a promising strategy for developing targeted interventions to promote health and reduce sexual risk, addressing a population often overlooked by standard HIV prevention programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Latino men's HIV risk using community-based participatory research. Rhodes, SD., Eng, E., Hergenrather, KC., et al.[2022]

A 27-episode video serial drama was developed to address HIV-related issues among Black youth, focusing on testing, sexual behaviors, stigma, and attitudes towards sexual minorities, using behavior-change principles and audience input.

The involvement of the target audience in the development process likely increased the intervention's acceptability and effectiveness, suggesting that narrative communication can be a powerful tool for public health initiatives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development of a Video-Delivered Serial Drama Designed to Reduce Community Homophobia and HIV Stigma, Decrease Sexual Risk Behavior, and Increase HIV Testing Among Black Youth. O'Leary, A., Willis, LA., Henny, KD., et al.[2023]

Latinas are significantly more vulnerable to HIV, being four times more likely to contract the virus compared to White women, highlighting a critical public health issue.

The review of 20 studies on HIV prevention interventions for U.S. Latinas revealed a lack of focus on direct measures of HIV risk reduction, such as condom use, and insufficient incorporation of culturally relevant strategies that address gender dynamics and cultural norms affecting this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral HIV Prevention Interventions Among Latinas in the US: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Daniel-Ulloa, J., Ulibarri, M., Baquero, B., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. guilfordjournals.com guilfordjournals.com/doi/10.1521/aeap.2023.35.6.421

Infección de Amor (Infectious Love) The objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored telenovela (i.e., a soap opera) to promote HIV prevention behaviors (condom use; HIV testing; ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05929482

Impact of a Telenovela/Soap Opera for HIV Prevention in ... Intervention group: 71 Latinas will view four Infección de Amor (IA, Love Infection) intervention episodes, one per week. Participants will receive an email to ...

3. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/lKur-GRgyEq_nk1chKG7qA/project-details/10673607

RePORT RePORTER - National Institutes of Health (NIH) | This study will develop innovative approaches to advance health and wellness for Latinas by reducing the risk of acquiring HIV. This intervention has not been ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38096456/

Development and Acceptability of a Telenovela/Soap Opera ... The objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored telenovela (ie, a soap opera) to promote HIV prevention behaviors.

5. sswr.confex.com sswr.confex.com/sswr/2025/webprogram/Paper58725.html

An HIV Prevention Telenovela Intervention to Reduce ... The aims of this study were: 1) describe the development of Infectious love (Infección de Amor, IA), 2) evaluate IA's feasibility and ...

6. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/66/NCT05358366/Prot_SAP_000.pdf

Infección de Amor (Love Infection): Online Delivery and ... For aim 2 we will HIV related prevention outcomes including sexual behavior, condom use, HIV testing, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. [PrEP] ...

7. scholarship.miami.edu scholarship.miami.edu/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/INFECCI%C3%93N-DE-AMOR-INFECTIOUS-LOVE-DEVELOPMENT/991032796368002976

INFECCIÓN DE AMOR (INFECTIOUS LOVE) INFECCIÓN DE AMOR (INFECTIOUS LOVE): DEVELOPMENT AND ACCEPTABILITY OF A TELENOVELA/SOAP OPERA INTERVENTION FOR HIV PREVENTION FOR LATINAS.