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Leptospirosis, an acute bacterial zoonotic disease, is endemic in Puerto Rico. Infection in approximately 10%-15% of patients with clinical disease progresses to severe, potentially fatal illness. Increased incidence has been associated with flooding in endemic areas around the world. In 2022, Hurricane Fiona, a Category 1 hurricane, made landfall and inundated Puerto Rico with heavy rainfall and severe flooding, increasing the risk for a leptospirosis outbreak. In response, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) changed guidelines to make leptospirosis cases reportable within 24 hours, centralized the case investigation management system, and provided training and messaging to health care providers. To evaluate changes in risk for leptospirosis after Hurricane Fiona to that before the storm, the increase in cases was quantified, and patient characteristics and geographic distribution were compared. During the 15 weeks after Hurricane Fiona, 156 patients experienced signs and symptoms of leptospirosis and had a specimen with a positive laboratory result reported to PRDH. The mean weekly number of cases during this period was 10.4, which is 3.6 as high as the weekly number of cases during the previous 37 weeks (2.9). After Hurricane Fiona, the proportion of cases indicating exposure to potentially contaminated water increased from 11% to 35%, and the number of persons receiving testing increased; these factors likely led to the resulting overall surge in reported cases. Robust surveillance combined with outreach to health care providers after flooding events can improve leptospirosis case identification, inform clinicians considering early initiation of treatment, and guide public messaging to avoid wading, swimming, or any contact with potentially contaminated floodwaters.

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Community health promotion offers a potential solution to persistent healthcare challenges, with community health workers playing a pivotal role. The Community Training Institute for Health Disparities (CTIHD) implemented a problem-solving curriculum in Community Health Promotion, integrating a competency-based learning model through two courses: Introduction to Community Health Promotion and Design of an Action Plan for the Promotion of Community Health. Each course comprised ten three-hour sessions, featuring pre/post-tests, evaluations, and a cognitive debriefing. Knowledge change was assessed using pre/post-test scores among 27 community leaders from southern Puerto Rico. Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 demonstrated an overall retention rate of 62.6% and 96.7%, respectively. Although differences in knowledge gained between cohorts and courses weren't statistically significant, a trend toward increased knowledge was noted. Cohort 1 experienced a 22% knowledge increase in Course 1 and a 24% increase in Course 2. Cohort 2 demonstrated a 41% knowledge increase in Course 1 and a 25% increase in Course 2. The CTIHD's Community Health Promotion Program has made significant strides in elevating awareness and knowledge, marking a positive step toward reducing health disparities and fostering healthier, empowered communities in southern Puerto Rico.

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Dengue viruses (DENV) continue to cause large outbreaks in tropical countries, while chikungunya and Zika (ZIKV) viruses have added complexity to Aedes-borne disease prevention and control efforts. Because these viruses are transmitted by the same vectors in urban areas, it is useful to understand if sequential outbreaks caused by these viruses have commonalities, such as similar seasonal and spatial patterns, that would help anticipate and perhaps prevent future outbreaks. We explored and analyzed the heterogeneity of confirmed cases of DENV (2010-2014 and 2015-2022) and ZIKV (2016-2017) during outbreaks in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico to explore their degree of overlap and prioritize areas for Aedes aegypti control. Deidentified, georeferenced case data were aggregated into grid cells (500 × 500 m) within a geographical information system of the study area and analyzed to calculate the degree of overlap between outbreaks. Spatial autocorrelations using local indicators of spatial associations were conducted to identify significant disease case hot spots and correlations between outbreaks. We found that 75% of cases during the three transmission periods were concentrated in 25% of the total number of grid cells covering the study area. We also found significant clustering of cases during each outbreak, enabling identification of consistent disease hot spots. Our results showed 85% spatial overlap between cases of ZIKV in 2015-2017 and DENV in 2010-2014 and 97% overlap between DENV cases in 2010-2014 and 2015-2022. These results reveal urban areas at greater risk of future arbovirus outbreaks that should be prioritized for vector control.

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BACKGROUND: Expanding and providing access to early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through testing community-based strategies among socially vulnerable communities (SVC) are critical to reducing health disparities. The Epidemiological Intelligence Community Network (EpI-Net) community-based intervention sought to increase coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) testing uptake and prevention practices among SVC in Puerto Rico (PR). We evaluated EpI-Net's community leaders' capacity-building component by assessing pre-post COVID-19 public health workshops' tests' score changes and satisfaction among trained community leaders. METHODS: A total of 24 community leaders from SVC in PR have completed four community workshops. Pre- and post-assessments were completed as part of the health promotors training program to evaluate participants' tests score changes and satisfaction outcomes. RESULTS: Preliminary results showed: (1) high intervention retention levels of community leaders (85.7% acceptance rate); (2) change in post-test scores for community engagement strategies (p = 0.012); (3) change in post-test educational scores in COVID-19 prevention practices (p = 0.014); and (4) a change in scores in public health emergency management strategies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall workshop satisfaction was 99.6%. Community leaders have shown the importance of community capacity building as a key component for intervention feasibility and impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Our study was retrospectively registered under the ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04910542.

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The prevalence of chronic medical conditions is associated with biological, behavioral, and social factors. In Puerto Rico (PR), events such as budget cuts to essential services in recent years have contributed to deepening health disparities. This study aimed to explore community perceptions, opinions, and beliefs about chronic health conditions in the southern region of Puerto Rico. Framed by a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach, this qualitative study developed eight focus groups (n = 59) with adults (age of 21 or older) from southern Puerto Rico, in person and remotely, during 2020 and 2021. Eight open-ended questions were used for discussions, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via computer analysis. Content analysis revealed four main dimensions: knowledge, vulnerabilities, barriers, and identified resources. Relevant topics included: concerns about mental health-depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide; individual vulnerabilities-risk behaviors, and unhealthy habits; economic factors-health access and commercialization of health. Resource identification was also explored, and participants discussed the importance of alliances between public and private sectors. These topics were addressed across all focus groups, with various recommendations. The results highlight the importance of prioritizing identified community needs, evaluating available resources, and promoting tailored-made interventions to reduce risk factors for chronic health conditions.

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Introduction: Epidemiological trends in the USA have shown an increase in HIV incidence among adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM). Sexual and ethnic minorities in this group are at increased risk for infection. The use of health services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet or related technologies-known as eHealth-is an important strategy to reduce HIV disparities and to engage with some minority populations such as Spanish-speaking Latino AMSM. Despite the new opportunities that eHealth provides, little is known about the implementation of such interventions for HIV prevention among Spanish-speaking Latino AMSM. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted to examine eHealth HIV prevention interventions targeted to Spanish-speaking Latino AMSM. A systematic search using PubMed database was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications between January 1, 2006, and May 31, 2019. Eligible publications were those including (1) adolescents ages 13 to 18 years old as its main population, (2) described and tested HIV prevention interventions, (3) AMSM, (4) eHealth interventions, and (5) Latino/Hispanic participants. Results: A total of n = 52 publications were identified. From those, only n = 12 (27.3%) were targeted to AMSM (13-18 years old) and Latino/Hispanic populations, and there was no evidence of interventions addressing eHealth HIV prevention interventions targeted to Spanish-speaking Latino AMSM. Conclusions: Results indicate the scarcity of scientific evidence of eHealth interventions targeted to populations at increased risk for infection. Further, there is a call for the development of culturally and linguistically congruent eHealth HIV prevention interventions for Spanish-speaking Latino youth and to consider implementation and methodological approaches for these populations.

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After the introduction of HAART, the HIV/AIDS epidemiological trends has shown an increasing in the survival rates. HAART has dramatically improved the life expectancy of HIV/AIDS. The objective of this study was to estimate survival in people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico (PR) from 2003-2011. A population-based study using the PR HIV Surveillance System was implemented. A total of N = 9,290 people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in PR for 2003-2011 period. Cox regression models for survival analysis were assessed. Survival at 6 years after diagnosis in HIV patients was 0.87 (CI95%: 0.09, 0.72) when compare with AIDS patients at same time of diagnosis was 0.57 (CI95%: 0.55, 0.60) p<0.001. Intravenous drug users [IDU] have less probability of survival at 5 years after diagnosis when compare with other transmission modes 0.69 (CI95%: 0.67, 0.71) p<0.001. Assertive prevention strategies must be developed and implemented in PR for IDU's in order to increase their survival rates.

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HIV-related stigma exists. People with HIV/AIDS have their rights violated and mental/ physical wellbeing hindered. Health professionals (HP) are a primary source of support, however these can also be sources of stigma. Therefore, it is useful to train HP on the consequences of social stigma. We implemented an intervention to reduce stigma related towards HIV/AIDS with 507 medical students. It proved to be an efficacious intervention with reduction in the levels of stigma in our intervention group and significant differences with the control group (p <.05). Creating opportunities for training to address the stigma associated with HIV / AIDS is relevant to community psychology because we collaborate in changing attitudes that can adversely affect the prevention of new infection, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and quality of life.

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Specialized training for healthcare professionals (HCP) in order to reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma must be part of a public health model for HIV/AIDS. Tested interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma among HCP have been mostly absent from these efforts. A qualitative approach was used to assess stigma reduction within a traditional randomized controlled design in order to better understand how our current stigma intervention worked and was understood by 2nd year medical students. After conducting a quantitative follow up survey one-year post intervention we conducted 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with a subsample of our intervention group participants as part of the overall evaluation process. Once the interviews were finished, we transcribed them and used NVivo (v.8) to organized the qualitative data. In the process of analyzing the qualitative data we identified core intervention areas participants described as useful for their training and development: (1) acquiring more HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, (2) increased skills for management of high stigma situations, and (3) the ability to identify socio-structural factors that foster HIV infection among clients. The gathered information is important in order to have a deep understanding of how attitudinal change happens as part of our intervention strategies.

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HIV/AIDS stigma continues to be a challenge for HIV prevention and treatment. When health professionals manifest stigma it can limit access to quality treatment. With an ever-growing epidemic among Latinos, including Puerto Ricans living on the Caribbean Island, the social and structural factors that foster HIV/AIDS stigma need to be understood. In this study, we documented the association of religion with HIV/AIDS stigma in a sample of medical students in Puerto Rico. Findings suggest that importance placed on religion, and participation in religious activities, is associated with HIV/AIDS stigma for this population.

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HIV/AIDS stigma continues to be a challenge for HIV prevention and treatment. When health professionals manifest stigma it can limit access to quality treatment. With an ever-growing epidemic among Latinos, including Puerto Ricans living on the Caribbean Island, the social and structural factors that foster HIV/AIDS stigma need to be understood. In this study, we documented the association of religion with HIV/AIDS stigma in a sample of medical students in Puerto Rico. Findings suggest that importance placed on religion, and participation in religious activities, is associated with HIV/AIDS stigma for this population.

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INTRODUCTION: Stigma associated with HIV has been documented as a barrier for accessing quality health-related services. When the stigma manifests in the health care setting, people living with HIV receive substandard services or even be denied care altogether. Although the consequences of HIV stigma have been documented extensively, efforts to reduce these negative attitudes have been scarce. Interventions to reduce HIV stigma should be implemented as part of the formal training of future health care professionals. The interventions that have been tested with health care professionals and published have several limitations that must be surpassed (i.e. lack of comparison groups in research designs and longitudinal follow-up data). Furthermore, Latino health care professionals have been absent from these intervention efforts even though the epidemic has affected this population disproportionately. METHODS: In this article, we describe an intervention developed to reduce HIV stigma among medical students in Puerto Rico. A total of 507 medical students were randomly introduced into our intervention and control conditions. RESULTS: The results show statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups; intervention group participants had lower HIV stigma levels than control participants after the intervention. In addition, differences in HIV stigma levels between the groups were sustained for a 12-month period. CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrate the efficacy of the modes of intervention developed by us and serve as a new training tool for future health care professionals with regard to stigma reduction.

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La estigmatización del VIH/SIDA es de interés para la Psicología Comunitaria (PC) y organizaciones nacionales/internacionales. La enfermedad es ampliamente conocida, sin embargo su significado social es un reto para la empresa salubrista. Es altamente estigmatizada y se le atribuye la contaminación de la sociedad saludable. Desarrollar adiestramientos para profesionales de la salud (PS) y estudiantes de profesiones de la salud (EPS), incluyendo a psicólogos/as en esta área, es importante para lograr un mayor alcance a programas preventivos y de tratamiento. Un reto para reducir el estigma, es lograr que PS comprendan cómo las condiciones sociales fomentan la enfermedad, en lugar de concentrarse en las acciones individuales de las personas afectadas. Para esto es necesario considerar aquellos factores socio-estructurales que fomentan la estigmatización de las personas con VIH/SIDA (PCVS) como la pobreza y el género, entre otros. Los objetivos fueron explorar: 1) manifestaciones de estigma hacia el VIH/SIDA de PS y EPS y 2) su percepción de los factores socio-estructurales e individuales en estas manifestaciones, utilizando un diseño exploratorio de corte cualitativo. A partir del análisis de discurso de 80 entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad (40 PS y 40 EPS), se identificaron tres patrones temáticos que fomentan la enfermedad sociedad/cultura, género y responsabilidad individual.

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