CENTRAL AMERICA (2013): Study Evaluating the Com-Prevention Program with People Living with HIV/AIDS in Guatemala, El salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panama. Round 1

The goal of this study is to collect baseline data on the prevalence of condom use and the opportunity, ability and motivation to adopt healthier behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Central America. 2.1 This study test the hypothesis that exposure to PSI Com-prevention program reduces risk behaviors and increases enforcing/supportive environment for PLWHA in 6 central Latin American countries. Main outcomes: Condom use at last sex; number of sex partners; social support; internalized stigma; ART adherence; and self rated physical and mental health. Treatment variables: exposure to PSI intervention as measured by a three categorical variable: (a) PLHA who completed the com-prevention cycle (participation in at least 3 interpersonal communication activities (IPC), one biomedical component (STI’s test and/or antiretroviral referral), and one complimentary component (attendance to any legal/violence prevention/anti-discrimination service); (b) PLHA who participated in , but did not complete the cycle; (c) PLHA who did not participate in any component of the com-prevention program. Control variables: socio-economic status, study sites, type of respondents (recruited through peers or clinics) and whichever variables that may determine exposure to interventions? Some of the main outcomes can also be control variables for other main outcomes. 2.2 Additionally, this study will provide the level of in key behavioral indicators (condom use at last sex and consistent condom use) among PLHA 2.3 And will help identifying which opportunity, ability and motivation constructs are significantly associated to safer behavior (condom use at last sex and consistent condom use).