Oral

This session explores the reproductive health experiences, attitudes, and behaviors of men from diverse backgrounds. Latino immigrants in nontraditional settlement areas of the U.S. often experience social isolation, familial disruption, and discrimination. The first presentation describes the experiences of a sample of young, sexually active Latino men from rural Oregon and examines how their experiences, attitudes, and relationship characteristics are related to safer sex behavior. Although teen birthrates in the U.S. have declined over the last decade, declines among Latina teens have been slower than among other racial/ethnic groups. The second presentation is a qualitative study of the role of male partners in the contraceptive and pregnancy decisions of young Latinas living in California. In societies in which women cannot negotiate safe sex, men’s higher-risk sexual behaviors can put their female partners at risk of HIV and other STIs. The third presentation describes the gender equality attitudes of married and unmarried men from northern India and the association of attitudes with higher-risk sex. Recognizing men’s dominant family role in Mali, a new pilot project engages men at the community level in activities to advance reproductive health among women and men. The final presentation describes the process for developing guidelines for men’s constructive engagement in reproductive health programs and policies.

Session Objectives: 1) Identify the individual, relationship, and contextual factors most strongly associated with consistent condom use among young rural Latinos living in Oregon. 2) Describe the role of male partners in the contraceptive, pregnancy, and childbearing decisions of Latina teens living in California. 3) Identify the attitudes toward gender equality that influence higher-risk sexual behavior among Indian men. 4) Explain the process of developing guidelines for men’s constructive engagement in family planning/reproductive health programs and policies.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)