Key Storytellers of Health Information Among Spanish-Speaking Latino Sexual Minority Men in the U.S.: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Prevention and Care

This study sought to identify the primary sources of HIV and health information among Spanish-speaking Latino gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) in the United States (U.S.) and assess the strengths and limitations of their storytelling networks. We explored how storytellers, or those who relay information to individuals and communities, act as facilitators or barriers to HIV prevention and care services. We conducted individual semi-structured in-depth interviews with 40 Spanish-speaking Latino SMM recruited via a national survey. Qualitative data were analyzed in Spanish in Dedoose using a deductive approach and detailed codebook. Findings revealed four main themes associated with key storytellers and the strength of the communication infrastructure: 1) Having access to Spanish language resources and Spanish-speaking individuals is key to feeling comfortable and confident in seeking care; 2) Feeling connected to the Latino community often correlated with residence in areas where services were culturally tailored; 3) While social support networks are critical for accessing health information and promoting well-being, participants often excluded family members from discussions about HIV and sexual health due to stigma, instead seeking out friends, partners, and health care providers who were perceived as more open and knowledgeable; 4) Social media and the internet provide accessible sources of HIV prevention and care information, but perceived reputability of the source was important. The communication infrastructure and storytellers have implications for the development of future HIV-related interventions for Spanish-speaking Latino SMM in the U.S.