OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge of and risk behaviors for HIV transmission among individuals of Mexican ethnicity in San Diego, California and identify predictors of risk. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 72 men and 72 women of Mexican ethnicity in San Diego County. Participants were recruited through organization based sampling and snowball sampling. RESULTS: Less than one half of the individuals were born in the United States. The majority had a high school education or less, had been in the United States for over one year, and were employed. Almost one-half of the participants were highly acculturated to United States culture. The majority of individuals had had one sexual partner during the 30 days preceding the interview and had not injected drug during the previous 5 years. Approximately one-third had gone for HIV testing during the previous year. Most respondents scored high on an HIV knowledge questionnaire. Preliminary analyses suggest that acculturation was associated both with specific risk behaviors (injecting drugs during the previous 5 years), and with certain protective behavior (higher levels of HIV knowledge, having had an HIV test, and disclosing HIV status to a partner). Although some risk behaviors appear to be associated with higher income level, there was no correlation found between acculturation level and income level. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between acculturation, immigration status, time in U.S., and income are discussed in the context of high risk behaviors and prevention approaches.
Learning Objectives: To understand the relationship between acculturation, socioeconomic status, HIV risk, and HIV preventive behaviors
Keywords: Hispanic, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.