Assessing Perceptions of Infographics for HIV-Related Health Communication among Heterogeneous Latino Groups

Latino individuals are disproportionately affected by HIV and face persistent barriers to effective HIV-related health education. Variations in countries of origin, language, and cultural expression make tailoring health education materials for each Latino, or other, subgroup challenging. Infographic-based HIV communication has shown promise in overcoming these cultural variations among some Latino groups, but its effectiveness across diverse subgroups remains unclear. This study aimed to explore perceptions of infographics among heterogenous Latino groups in New York, Colorado, and the Dominican Republic. Through secondary data analysis, we combined datasets from three parent studies and used directed content analysis to analyze interview data involving Latino persons with HIV. Transcripts were coded using a Spanish codebook by a bilingual team, maintaining consistency across languages. Four main findings identified participant perceptions of: (1) Infographic design, (2) Impact of infographics on patient-provider communication, (3) Results of infographic use, and (4) Future recommendations. Heterogeneous Latino participants in distinct geographic locations consistently described the infographics as visually engaging and helpful in simplifying complex HIV concepts. These findings provide early evidence that well-designed visual materials can bridge communication gaps across linguistically and culturally diverse Latino populations, improving health education and engagement in HIV care.