Barriers and Strategies to Access HIV Prevention and Care Services among the Latino/a Community in Colorado

Understanding the local factors that affect access to HIV prevention and care is key to creating effective, culturally sensitive programs that improve health outcomes for Latino/a communities. A qualitative study design was used to explore the perceived barriers and potential strategies for the Latino/a community to access HIV prevention and care services within Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Four focus groups, structured using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), were conducted with Spanish and English-speaking Latinos/as living with HIV (n = 8) or at risk for HIV (n = 10), separately by HIV status. Data was analyzed using directed content analysis to identify recurring themes. Participants were predominantly male (78%, n = 14), with an average age of 38 years (SD = 12). Key barriers included individual factors (mental health concerns, limited HIV knowledge), interpersonal factors (stigma, language barriers), institutional issues (lack of provider training, minimal program promotion), community challenges (limited insurance coverage, economic constraints), and policy-level barriers (restrictive public health policies, immigration-related fears). Participants described strategies to overcome these barriers, including developing effective dissemination campaigns, increasing community engagement, offering training and capacity-building, expanding access points (e.g., more testing and flexible hours), and tailoring outreach to non-LGBTQ+ groups and families. Findings provide insights into factors to improve access to HIV prevention and care services among the Latino/a community impacted by HIV in Colorado.