Abstract
High rates of sex and drug risk behaviors have been documented among Latino migrant men in the US. Whether these behaviors
were established in the migrants’ home countries or were adopted in the US has not been described and has implications for
prevention strategies. Quarterly surveys were conducted to gather information on selected sex and drug risk practices of Latino
migrant men who arrived in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina seeking work. Both kappa scores and McNemar’s tests were performed
to determine if practice of these behaviors in home country was similar to practice post-emigration to the US. Female sex
worker (FSW) patronage, same sex encounters (MSM), and crack cocaine use was more likely to occur post- rather than pre-emigration.
Of those who ever engaged in these selected behaviors, most adopted the behavior in the US (i.e., 75.8 % of FSW patrons, 72.7 %
of MSM participants, and 85.7 % of crack cocaine users), with the exception of binge drinking (26.8 %). Men who were living
with a family member were less likely to adopt FSW patronage OR = 0.27, CI = 0.10–0.76, whereas men who earned >$465 per week
were more likely to adopt crack cocaine use OR = 6.29 CI = 1.29, 30.57. Interventions that facilitate the maintenance of family
cohesion and provide strategies for financial management may be useful for reducing sex and drug risk among newly arrived
migrants.
were established in the migrants’ home countries or were adopted in the US has not been described and has implications for
prevention strategies. Quarterly surveys were conducted to gather information on selected sex and drug risk practices of Latino
migrant men who arrived in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina seeking work. Both kappa scores and McNemar’s tests were performed
to determine if practice of these behaviors in home country was similar to practice post-emigration to the US. Female sex
worker (FSW) patronage, same sex encounters (MSM), and crack cocaine use was more likely to occur post- rather than pre-emigration.
Of those who ever engaged in these selected behaviors, most adopted the behavior in the US (i.e., 75.8 % of FSW patrons, 72.7 %
of MSM participants, and 85.7 % of crack cocaine users), with the exception of binge drinking (26.8 %). Men who were living
with a family member were less likely to adopt FSW patronage OR = 0.27, CI = 0.10–0.76, whereas men who earned >$465 per week
were more likely to adopt crack cocaine use OR = 6.29 CI = 1.29, 30.57. Interventions that facilitate the maintenance of family
cohesion and provide strategies for financial management may be useful for reducing sex and drug risk among newly arrived
migrants.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9650-2
- Authors
- Jennifer Mills, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Nicole Burton, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Norine Schmidt, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Oscar Salinas, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- John Hembling, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Alberto Aran, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Michele Shedlin, New York University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
- Patricia Kissinger, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, SL-18, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912