Purpose: The purpose of this study, was to understand the interlocking spheres of cultural identity and health behaviors relating to HIV prevention within the batey communities. Specific Aims: Explore key informants’ perceptions of cultural identity that influence HIV prevention including relationships, expectations, and cultural empowerment among persons, extended family, and neighborhoods. Explore key informants’ perceptions of the cultural factors that enable and nurture protective health behaviors relating to HIV prevention among the DR batey communities. Describe key informants’ perceptions of the positive, existential, and negative dimensions of DR batey culture empowerment with the goal of promoting healthy behaviors for HIV prevention in batey communities.
Framework: The PEN-3 Model by Airhihenbuwa provided the theoretical framework as a culture-centered approach to understanding cultural context relating to health behaviors. Design: A qualitative descriptive design with maximum variation was utilized, and data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed with key informants within the La Romana region of the Dominican Republic. Results: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 individuals.