Abstract
Hispanic women in the United States (US) are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
There are very limited data on the sexual risk differences among US-born Hispanic women (USBHW) and foreign-born Hispanic
women (FBHW). Sexually active USBHW and FBHW were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Demographics, sexual
history, testing for HIV or sexually transmitted infection (STI), condom use, partner sexual risk and alcohol/substance use
were compared between USBHW and FBHW. FBHW were 3.5 years older than USBHW at first sexual experience (95% CI: 2.8, 4.1; P < 0.001). This remained significant after controlling for age and education. There was no difference between groups in the
proportion of women with >1 reported sexual partner in the last year. FBHW reported fewer risk behaviors and lower rates of
STI and alcohol/drug abuse. However, FBHW were less likely to have been tested for HIV. HIV prevention strategies would better
target Hispanic women in the US if differences in risk behavior between FBHW and USBHW were incorporated.
There are very limited data on the sexual risk differences among US-born Hispanic women (USBHW) and foreign-born Hispanic
women (FBHW). Sexually active USBHW and FBHW were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Demographics, sexual
history, testing for HIV or sexually transmitted infection (STI), condom use, partner sexual risk and alcohol/substance use
were compared between USBHW and FBHW. FBHW were 3.5 years older than USBHW at first sexual experience (95% CI: 2.8, 4.1; P < 0.001). This remained significant after controlling for age and education. There was no difference between groups in the
proportion of women with >1 reported sexual partner in the last year. FBHW reported fewer risk behaviors and lower rates of
STI and alcohol/drug abuse. However, FBHW were less likely to have been tested for HIV. HIV prevention strategies would better
target Hispanic women in the US if differences in risk behavior between FBHW and USBHW were incorporated.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9529-7
- Authors
- Jose Castillo-Mancilla, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, 1635 Aurora Ct, B163, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Amanda Allshouse, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E. 17th Pl, B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Caitilin Collins, College of Nursing, University of Colorado Denver, 13120 E. 19th Ave, C288-6, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Marie Hastings-Tolsma, College of Nursing, University of Colorado Denver, 13120 E. 19th Ave, C288-6, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Thomas B. Campbell, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, 1635 Aurora Ct, B163, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Samantha MaWhinney, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E. 17th Pl, B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912