M Isabel Fernandez
Biographic Data
| ID | 4088187 |
|---|---|
| NAME | M Isabel Fernandez |
| GIVEN NAMES | M Isabel |
| FAMILY NAME | Fernandez |
| SIGNATURE | FERNANDEZ M I |
| AFFILIATIONS | Nova Southeastern University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9263-9121 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 60 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 85 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 60 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1970 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
A Socioecological Perspective on Sexual Health Promotion Choices Among Youth At-Risk for and Living with HIV in Los Angeles and New Orleans
Youth in the US remain at high relative risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections compared to other age groups despite increasing diversity in the available tools to reduce HIV risk through behavioral strategies, biomedical methods, and treatment as prevention. Previous research has shown that acceptability and appeal of prevention methods vary across youth, and over-emphasis on any one strategy may overlook youth’s autonomy to make their …
Increasing Sustained Viral Suppression Among Youth Living with HIV: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stepped Care Intervention
PrEP Disparities Among Transgender Feminine, Transgender Masculine, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Youth and Young Adults in the United States
This study assessed disparities in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (N = 477) between 15 and 24 years old in the CARES (ATN 149) and TechStep (ATN 160) study protocols within the National Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN). Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation pathways between gender identity and PrEP uptake among the full sample a…
A necessary conversation to develop chatbots for HIV studies: Qualitative findings from research staff, community advisory board members, and study participants
Chatbots increase business productivity by handling customer conversations instead of human agents. Similar rationale applies to use chatbots in the healthcare sector, especially for health coaches who converse with clients. Chatbots are nascent in healthcare. Study findings have been mixed in terms of engagement and their impact on outcomes. Questions remain as to chatbot acceptability with coaches and other providers; studies have focused on cl…
I Have Moments Where I Am Down, But It Has Made Me Resilient”: Mental Health Strengths Among Youth At-Risk for and Living with HIV
We analyzed mental health strengths among youth at-risk for or living with HIV ages 14 to 24 years. In total, 13% of participants were living with HIV, 88% identified as LGBQ+, and 14% identified as transgender, gender diverse, or non-binary. Most identified as either Hispanic/Latine (36%) or non-Hispanic Black (44%). Data from 257 youth in Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana, were collected within strengths-based coaching interve…
Mission Feel! A novel emotion understanding intervention for preschoolers: A proof-of-concept study
Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Test of Connecting Latinos en Parejas: A Couples-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Latino Male Couples
Despite recent emphasis on couples-based HIV prevention interventions, efficacious interventions for Latino male couples have yet to be tested. The study examined the feasibility and acceptability of the Connecting Latinos en Pareja (CLP) intervention, a couples-based HIV prevention intervention for Latino male couples. This pilot demonstrated high feasibility, meeting targets for recruitment, retention, and intervention completion. We recruited …
Psychiatric hospitalization among youth at high risk for HIV
Youth at-risk for HIV are also at-risk for mental health disorders and psychiatric hospitalization. Understanding the association between engagement in HIV prevention, concurrent risk behaviors, and psychiatric hospitalization may lead to improvements in integrated prevention and mental health treatment efforts. Youth at-risk for HIV, aged 14–24 years old, predominantly Black/African American and Latinx (75%) were recruited through youth-serving …
Barriers and facilitators to implementing a motivational interviewing-based intervention: A multi-site study of organizations caring for youth living with HIV
Understanding possible barriers and facilitators to effective implementation of evidence-based interventions to help high-risk youth prevent and manage HIV is crucial for their scale-up. This manuscript analyzes qualitative interview data collected during the early phase implementation of a motivational interviewing (MI) based intervention at 10 HIV care clinics in the United States providing services to youth. Using the Exploration-Preparation-I…
Response Patterns to Weekly Short Message Service Health Surveys Among Diverse Youth at High Risk for Acquiring HIV
Substance Use, Violence, and Sexual Risk Among Young Cis-Gender Women Placed at High-Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Recent Incarceration and Other Correlates of Psychological Distress Among African American and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men
A measure to assess HIV treatment readiness among adolescents and young adults
HIV infections among adolescents and young adults continue to grow and clinical guidelines recommend the immediate start of life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Unfortunately, suboptimal medication adherence among youth is common and can lead to poorer health outcomes as well as onward transmission of HIV to sexual partners. Clinical tools to assess treatment readiness are needed and can assist with adherence intervention strategies for yout…
Correlates of missed clinic visits among youth living with HIV
Youth living with HIV (YLH) have significant problems with attending their medical appointments. Poor attendance, consequently, predicts viral non-suppression and other negative health outcomes. To identity targets of intervention, this cross-sectional study examined correlates of past-year missed clinic visits among YLH (N = 2125) attending HIV clinics in the United States and Puerto Rico. Thirty-six percent of YLH missed two or more visits in t…
Correlates of Serodiscordant Condomless Anal Intercourse Among Virologically Detectable HIV-Positive Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Interaction Effects of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Individual Social Support on Frequency of Alcohol Use in Youth Living with HIV
Youth living with HIV ( YLH ) experience multiple disease‐related stresses along with the same structural and developmental challenges faced by their uninfected peers; alcohol use among YLH represents a risk behavior by virtue of potential effects on youth health and increased likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex while drinking alcohol. Research aimed at better understanding the interplay of individual‐ and neighborhood‐level influences on a…
Age Cohort Differences in Sexual Behaviors Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men and Women
Little attention has focused on generational or age-related differences in human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) risk behaviors among Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW). We examined sexual risk behaviors between BMSMW ages 40 and under compared to over age 40. Analysis was conducted using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-sponsored intervention data among BMSMW in Los Angeles, Chicago,…
HIV Acquisition and Transmission Potential Among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women in Three U.S. Cities
Syndemic Conditions Reinforcing Disparities in HIV and Other STIs in an Urban Sample of Behaviorally Bisexual Latino Men
Relationship Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behavior and High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Among Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men: Challenges and Opportunities to Intervene on HIV Risk
Correlates of HIV and STI testing among Latino men who have sex with men in New York City
We assessed the extent to which sociodemographic, personal, and behavioral factors are associated with human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) testing among a diverse group of Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City. The triangulation approach was used to synthesize data from 176 MSM who completed an in-person or phone questionnaire about substance use, alcohol consumption, sexual behaviors, and HIV/S…
Syndemic factors associated with drinking patterns among Latino men and Latina transgender women who have sex with men in New York City
Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern among Latino men and Latina transgender women who have sex with men. However, characteristics and behaviors associated with alcohol consumption in this population, particularly in regard to the complex influence of syndemic factors, remain understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of high-risk alcohol consumption (i.e. binge or heavy drinking). Between January and …
The Usefulness of the CRAFFT in Screening for Problematic Drug and Alcohol Use Among Youth Living with HIV
Using Syndemics Theory to Investigate Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Condomless Sex Among Youth Living with HIV in 17 U.S. Cities
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Power: An Internet-Based HIV Prevention Intervention for Black Bisexual Men
Sexual and ethnic identity development among gay–bisexual–questioning (GBQ) male ethnic minority adolescents
Identity development is a critical task of adolescence and occurs across multiple areas of self-identification. Although research on the identity development process among individuals who are ethnic and sexual minorities has been conducted for individuals who have 1 minority status or the other, few studies have examined these processes in people who are both ethnic and sexual minorities. In this qualitative study, the authors examined the dual i…
Negotiating Dominant Masculinity Ideology: Strategies Used by Gay, Bisexual and Questioning Male Adolescents
In the context of a U.S. dominant masculinity ideology, which devalues men who are not heterosexually identified, many gay, bisexual and questioning (GBQ) adolescent males must develop their own affirming and health‐promoting sense of masculinity. In order to promote the well‐being of GBQ young men, exploration of their reactions and responses to dominant images of masculinity is needed. We qualitatively analyzed interviews with 39 GBQ African Am…
Revisiting the Dimensions of Acculturation: Cultural Theory and Psychometric Practice
Although acculturation has frequently been employed as an organizing principle in social science research, there remains a lack of clarity regarding "the dimensions of acculturation. " The confusion arises from failure to distinguish between two technical meanings of the term dimension. This study differentiates the dimensionality of the various domains of behavior, values, and preferences (latent constructs) assessed in most measures of accultur…
Examining natural mentoring relationships (NMRs) among self-identified gay, bisexual, and questioning (GBQ) male youth
Age-Concordant and Age-Discordant Sexual Behavior Among Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents
Surfing New Territory: Club-Drug Use and Risky Sex Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men Recruited on the Internet
Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among At-Risk Adolescents and Young Adults
Objectives. We sought to learn what factors are associated with anal intercourse among adolescents and young adults. We examined demographic, behavioral, relationship context, attitudinal, substance use, and mental health correlates of recent heterosexual anal intercourse among adolescents and young adults who reported engaging in recent unprotected sex. Methods. Among 1348 at-risk adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 21 years in 3 US cities, …
Relationship Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behavior and High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Among Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men: Challenges and Opportunities to Intervene on HIV Risk
Low-income African American women's attempts to convince their main partner to use condoms
In this cross-sectional study the authors examine condom use attempts and condom use among 305 high-risk, low-income African American women who reported having a main partner. Women who had recently attempted to convince their main partner to use condoms were almost 10 times more likely to have recently used condoms with their partner than women who had not made an attempt. Among the subsample of 116 women who had recently made a condom use attem…
Physical and Sexual Violence During Pregnancy and After Delivery: A Prospective Multistate Study of Women With or at Risk for HIV Infection
Objectives. We sought to describe and compare prevalence rates of and risk factors for violence against women during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods. Physical and sexual violence and violence risk factors were assessed during late pregnancy and 6 months postpartum in a prospective study of pregnant women with (n=336) and without (n=298) HIV in 4 US states. Results. Overall, 10.6% of women reported having experienced violence, 8.9% during pregna…
HIV, Sex, and Social Change: Applying Esid Principles to HIV Prevention Research
The HIV epidemic has been the most significant public health crisis of the last 2 decades. Although Experimental Social Innovation and Dissemination (ESID) principles have been used by many HIV prevention researchers, the clearest application is the series of model‐building and replication experiments conducted by Kelly and colleagues. The model mobilized, trained, and engaged key opinion leaders to serve as behavior change and safe‐sex endorsers…
Violence During Pregnancy Among Women With or at Risk for HIV Infection
Objectives. This study estimated the prevalence of violence during pregnancy in relation to HIV infection. Methods. Violence, current partnerships, and HIV risk behaviors were assessed among 336 HIV-seropositive and 298 HIV-seronegative at-risk pregnant women. Results. Overall, 8.9% of women experienced recent violence; 21.5% currently had abusive partners. Violence was experienced by women in all partnership categories (range = 3.8% with nonabus…
La formación de los periodistas españoles
El correcto ejercicio de la actividad periodística choca con no pocas barreras. Quizá las primeras que nos vienen a la mente son las externas: legislación intervencionista, demandas de las audiencias, supeditación a la publicidad... Pero hay una barrera mucho más preocupante que las anteriores y, a la vez, mucho más fácil de salvar porque depende exclusivamente de los periodistas. Estoy hablando de nuestra formación, pues si una adecuada cualific…
Revisiting the Dimensions of Acculturation: Cultural Theory and Psychometric Practice
Although acculturation has frequently been employed as an organizing principle in social science research, there remains a lack of clarity regarding "the dimensions of acculturation. " The confusion arises from failure to distinguish between two technical meanings of the term dimension. This study differentiates the dimensionality of the various domains of behavior, values, and preferences (latent constructs) assessed in most measures of accultur…
A brief HIV intervention for adolescents and young adults
The delivery format of an HIV prevention program that had been efficacious with youths at high risk was modified from seven relatively short sessions over a one- to two-month period to three longer sessions over a one- to two-week period. In contrast to youths in the seven-session program, no change in sexual behavior was observed among those in the redesigned program at three-month follow-up. However, change was apparent in the mediators of high…
High risk sexual behaviours among heroin sniffers who have no history of injection drug use: Implications for HIV risk reduction
The purpose of this paper is to assess sexual behaviours which place heroin sniffers (HSs) at high risk for HIV infection. A stratified network-based sample was used to recruit HSs who had no history of injection drug use was recruited from the streets of South Florida, USA. HSs displayed a high HIV seroprevalence rate of 12.1%; women (18.1%) were more likely than men (8.7%) to test positive for HIV. Both men and women HSs engaged in considerable…
To test or not to test: Are Hispanic men at highest risk for HIV getting tested
This study examined how HIV testing history and future testing intentions were related to sexual risk and perceptions of risk in a community sample of 1,052 Hispanic men. This sample is noteworthy in its diverse representation of Hispanics, its high ratio of participants born outside the USA, and its inclusion of heterosexuals and men who have sex with men (MSM). We used area-based sampling to recruit participants at public venues. Data were coll…
Violence During Pregnancy Among Women With or at Risk for HIV Infection
Objectives. This study estimated the prevalence of violence during pregnancy in relation to HIV infection. Methods. Violence, current partnerships, and HIV risk behaviors were assessed among 336 HIV-seropositive and 298 HIV-seronegative at-risk pregnant women. Results. Overall, 8.9% of women experienced recent violence; 21.5% currently had abusive partners. Violence was experienced by women in all partnership categories (range = 3.8% with nonabus…
Promoting HIV Testing Among Never-Tested Hispanic Men: A Doctor's Recommendation May Suffice
HIV, Sex, and Social Change: Applying Esid Principles to HIV Prevention Research
The HIV epidemic has been the most significant public health crisis of the last 2 decades. Although Experimental Social Innovation and Dissemination (ESID) principles have been used by many HIV prevention researchers, the clearest application is the series of model‐building and replication experiments conducted by Kelly and colleagues. The model mobilized, trained, and engaged key opinion leaders to serve as behavior change and safe‐sex endorsers…
Social Support, Positive States of Mind, and HIV Treatment Adherence in Men and Women Living With HIV/Aids.
Numerous studies have linked social support to better medication adherence among illness groups, but few have examined potential mechanisms for this relationship. Relationships were examined between social support, depression, positive states of mind (PSOM), and medication adherence among HIV positive men who have sex with men (n = 61) and women (n = 29) on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Depression and PSOM were evaluated as potential medi…
The Internet as recruitment tool for HIV studies: Viable strategy for reaching at-risk Hispanic MSM in Miami
Although use of the Internet as a vehicle for HIV/STI research is increasing, its viability to recruit at-risk populations such as Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) to participate in community-based HIV studies is in its infancy. We report on the first 171 participants enrolled in an ongoing study exploring use of the Internet to recruit Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) living in Miami-Dade County, Florida to participate in commu…
Prenatal Care Utilization and the Implementation of Prophylaxis to Prevent Perinatal HIV-1 Transmission
Intimacy and Sexual Behavior Among HIV-Positive Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men in Primary Relationships
Perceived Stress Mediates the Effects of Coping on the Quality of Life of HIV-Positive Women on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Predictors of HIV Risk Among Hispanic Farm Workers in South Florida: Women Are at Higher Risk Than Men
Predictors of HIV Testing and Intention to Test Among Hispanic Farmworkers in South Florida
CONTEXT AND PURPOSE: This study examined the predictors of HIV testing and factors associated with intention to accept a free HIV test among 244 Hispanic migrant/seasonal farmworkers in South Florida. METHODS: Time and space sampling procedures were used to recruit participants in public venues. Bilingual staff interviewed eligible respondents in these settings. FINDINGS: Despite high rates of sexual risk, only 21% of respondents had been tested …
Club Drug Use, Sexual Behavior, and HIV Risk Among Community and Internet Samples of Hispanic MSM: Implications for Clinicians
Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV infection. This study reports on the club drug use and sexual behaviors of two distinct samples (community and Internet) of Hispanic MSM living in the AIDS epicenter of Miami-Dade County. Both samples reported high rates of unprotected anal sex and high numbers of sex partners; rates of club drug use (cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamines, GHB, amyl nitrites, and Viagra) were also high…
HIV prevention programs of nongovernmental organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Global Aids Intervention Network project
The strategies used by NGOs to overcome barriers to prevention are a testament to their ingenuity and commitment, and serve as examples for NGOs in other world regions
Surfing New Territory: Club-Drug Use and Risky Sex Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men Recruited on the Internet
Programmes, resources, and needs of HIV-prevention nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa, Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
This study assessed the programmes, resources, and needs of HIV-prevention nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 75 countries in Africa, Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Multiple databases and expert recommendations were used to identify one major HIV-prevention NGO in the capital or a large city in each country, and in-depth interviews were conducted with each NGO Director. Most NGOs are carrying out th…
Low-income African American women's attempts to convince their main partner to use condoms
In this cross-sectional study the authors examine condom use attempts and condom use among 305 high-risk, low-income African American women who reported having a main partner. Women who had recently attempted to convince their main partner to use condoms were almost 10 times more likely to have recently used condoms with their partner than women who had not made an attempt. Among the subsample of 116 women who had recently made a condom use attem…
Physical and Sexual Violence During Pregnancy and After Delivery: A Prospective Multistate Study of Women With or at Risk for HIV Infection
Objectives. We sought to describe and compare prevalence rates of and risk factors for violence against women during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods. Physical and sexual violence and violence risk factors were assessed during late pregnancy and 6 months postpartum in a prospective study of pregnant women with (n=336) and without (n=298) HIV in 4 US states. Results. Overall, 10.6% of women reported having experienced violence, 8.9% during pregna…
Cruising in Cyber Space: Comparing Internet Chat Room versus Community Venues for Recruiting Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men to Participate in Prevention Studies
Difficulties with recruitment of hidden populations, such as Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM), have hampered HIV prevention research, leading researchers to explore alternative recruitment modalities such as the Internet. In this paper, we compare the efficiency and cost of recruiting HMSM from Internet chat rooms versus community venues and examine the differences between participants recruited from each type of venue. Internet recruitme…
Predictors of Unprotected Sex among Young Sexually Active African American, Hispanic, and White MSM: The Importance of Ethnicity and Culture
HIV risk behaviors of Latin American and Caribbean men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida, USA
Many MSM born in LAC countries engage in HIV-related risk behaviors in the AIDS epicenter of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Culturally appropriate interventions should address these risk behaviors in this underserved population
Sexual and ethnic identity development among gay–bisexual–questioning (GBQ) male ethnic minority adolescents
Identity development is a critical task of adolescence and occurs across multiple areas of self-identification. Although research on the identity development process among individuals who are ethnic and sexual minorities has been conducted for individuals who have 1 minority status or the other, few studies have examined these processes in people who are both ethnic and sexual minorities. In this qualitative study, the authors examined the dual i…
Medicine (52 works) · Psychology (42 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (41 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (31 works) · Family medicine (31 works) · Psychiatry (30 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (28 works) · Demography (27 works) · Public health (23 works) · Men who have sex with men (22 works)