Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103133

Raquel Fosados, MPH¹, Ramiro Caballero-Hoyos, PhD², Teresa Torres, PhD³, and Thomas W. Valente, PhD¹. (1) Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, 1000 Fremont Avenue, Unit 8, Alhambra, CA 91803, 310-980-3814, fosados@usc.edu, (2) Unidad de Investigacion Epidemiologica y en Servicios de Salud del Adolescente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Unidad Medicina Familiar #93, Av. Tonala No. 121, Tonala, Jalisco, CP 45400, Mexico, (3) Departamento de Salud Publica, Universidad de Guadalajara, Calle Sierra Mojada #960, Colonia Independencia, Guadalajara, Jalisco, CP 44340, Mexico

Objective: To investigate the sexual practices that place Mexican male migrants at risk for STDs/HIV and to shed light on the factors associated with condom use. Methods: Using a cross-sectional interview design, data on personal sexual networks were collected anonymously from a convenience sample of Mexican male migrants involved in yearly circular migration between Mexico and the United States. The survey included measures on demographics, migration patterns, alcohol and drug use, and sexual activities in the past year. Data analyses were conducted with SAS. Results: Results from the survey (n = 354) indicated a mean participant age of 33 years and a 9- month average US length of stay in the past year. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported having had at least one sexual partner during their past US stay, with 45% reporting a US sexual encounter in the past year. More than 17% reported a 12-month history of STD symptoms. With respect to condom use, 37.6% reported never using condoms and almost 43% consumed alcohol prior to intercourse. Of these, 32% stated that consuming alcohol gave them the courage to have sex in either all or almost all of their past year's sexual encounters. In addition, alcohol consumption prior to sexual intercourse was associated with less frequent condom usage (AOR=0.45; CI: 0.23-0.86). Conclusions: In a sample of Mexican male migrants, findings suggest that migrants, especially those consuming alcohol prior to intercourse, may be at risk for STDs/HIV. Findings suggest that STD/HIV intervention programs with migrants should address alcohol consumption.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the sexual practices of Mexican male circular migrants.
• Identify the factors associated with frequency of condom use among this migrant population.
• Discuss potential areas for intervention among this migrant population.

Keywords: Migrant Health, Latino

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.