Efficacy of an HIV/AIDS and HIV testing video for Spanish-speaking Latinos in healthcare and non-healthcare settings.

We assessed the efficacy of a Spanish-language HIV/AIDS and HIV testing video as a substitute for comparable orally-delivered information in healthcare and non-health care settings for Spanish-speakers regardless of health literacy level. In a non-inferiority clinical trial, Spanish-speaking Latinos from an emergency department, a clinic, and community-based organizations were randomly assigned to receive HIV/AIDS and HIV testing information orally or from a video. Comprehension of the information was measured using a questionnaire. Of the 150 participants, 39 % met criteria for lower health literacy and 75 % previously had been tested for HIV. Mean scores on the questionnaire for the video (20.4; 95 % CI 19.5 ~ 21.3) and the orally-delivered information arms (20.6; 95 % CI 19.7 ~ 21.5) were similar (Δ = -0.15; 95 % CI -1.4 ~ 1.1). Mean scores among lower health literacy participants also were similar (18.3 (video) vs. 19.6 (in-person); p < 0.30). This Spanish-language video is a viable substitute for orally-delivered HIV/AIDS and HIV testing information.