Do you like yourself? The effects of positive ethnic attitudes and sense of belonging on risky sexual behaviors in a migrant worker community

Background: Migrant worker communities in the United States are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. This analysis assesses the relationship among cultural affirmation, belonging, and commitment and risky sexual behaviors as part of a larger randomized study which expands on current behavioral interventions to include contextual components (motivational interviewing and peer counseling) related to reducing HIV risk behaviors among Migrant Workers.

Methods: The targeted population was low SES rural male and female African Americans and Hispanic/Hispanic-Americans at risk for HIV due to alcohol and other drug use (AOD) and sexual behaviors. Adults were screened for unprotected vaginal/anal/oral sex and AOD consumption in the preceding 3 months. An affective component of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM), the affirmation, belonging, and commitment factor was analyzed in relationship to risky sexual and AOD behaviors.

Results: Preliminary results (n=226) indicated 60% scored high (>3) on cultural affirmation, belonging, and commitment; 40% scored low. There were no significant differences between those with a high vs. low cultural affirmation score and consumption of AOD. A negative trend between high vs. low affirmation and unprotected sex was observed, although not significant (r= -.085; p=.286). However, there was a significant negative correlation between the affective factor and total number of partners (r= -.194; p< .05) suggesting positive cultural affect is associated with less risky sexual behaviors.

Conclusion: The association between positive ethnic identity with risky sexual behavior suggests a possible relationship. These findings may be used to strengthen interventions by focusing on positive identification with ethnic identity and promoting a sense of belonging.