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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Antonio Estrada, PhD, Mexican American Studies & Research Center, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210023, Cesar E. Chavez Bldg, #23, Room 208-C, Tucson, AZ 85721-0023, 520-621-5121, aestrada@u.arizona.edu, Barbara D. Estrada, MS, Impact Consultants, Inc., 5632 N. Cherokee Ridge Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750, and Stephen Trujillo, El Rio/Special Immunology Associates, 1701 W. St. Mary's Rd., Suite 160, Tucson, AZ 85745.

Background: The need to focus prevention efforts with HIV positives continues to be a key strategy to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recent studies have shown that HIV positives continue to engage in sexual risk behaviors conducive to the transmission of HIV, and the acquisition and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's).

Methods: Between 2000 and 2005, 1200 HIV positive persons were recruited into a multi-site study involving several health care centers along the U.S.-Mexico border (the HRSA SPNS Border Initiative). The present analysis examines data from 921 HIV positive Latinos. Sexual risk behaviors were ascertained, after an HIV/AIDS diagnosis, for the “past year” and the “past 30 days.”

Results: Among the 921 HIV+ Latinos: 24.5% had unprotected sex with males in the past year, and of these 27.6% did so within the past 30 days; 11.5% had unprotected sex with females in the past year, and of these 18.1% did so within the past 30 days; 14.3% had unprotected sex with an HIV+ person, and of these 22.9% did so within the past 30 days; and, 72 or 7.9% reported being diagnosed with a new STI within the past year, and of these 20.8% did so within the past 30 days.

Conclusions: Engagement in sexual risk behaviors among HIV+ Latinos continues to be problematic. Findings indicate that unprotected sex with males, females, and other HIV+ persons are still prevalent. Implications for prevention with positives, especially HIV+ Latinos will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: After completion of the presentation attendees will be able to

• Understand the importance of prevention with positives in curbing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• Articulate the sexual risk behaviors in which HIV+ Latinos engage.
• Discuss the implications for continued heterosexual transmission among Latinos.

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered