| Using anthropological theory, health behavior models, the "edu-tainment" approach, and social marketing protocols, the Mariachi AIDS Project explored the use of music cassettes as a vehicle for introducing health education messages to recent Latino immigrants. This pilot project was conducted with the Los Angeles County Health Department Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Community Outreach Services Unit (COSU).; Fifty recent Latino immigrants who partook in HIV testing during screenings throughout Los Angeles County received a copy of the cassette, a cassette player, headphones, and batteries. Participants responded to a survey, provided demographic information, and answered questions regarding AIDS prevention information offered on the cassette. The research results indicate that it is possible to use cultural systems to educate hard-to-reach populations and suggest that future research should be conducted. |
