Predictors of Immigrant Latinas having Male Sex Partners Who are at Risk for HIV

Background: Latinas are nearly 3 times as likely to acquire HIV/AIDS as white women in the US. Although male sex partners' risk behaviors are associated with increased HIV infection risks among women in general, very few studies have examined why immigrant Latinas may have male sex partners who increase Latina's risks of HIV infection.

Methods: 212 Latinas, aged 18-44 years, completed ACASI interviews that assessed sociodemographics, acculturation, depressive symptoms, partner communication self-efficacy, and male partner characteristics.

Results: 50% reported sex during the previous 3 months with males whom they thought or suspected were infected with an STD, injected drugs, or had been incarcerated. Logistic regression analysis, controlling for level of education and immigration status, revealed that depressive symptoms were associated with having a male sex partner whose circumstances or behaviors increased Latina's HIV risks (AOR=1.05; p=.036). Those who were older and reported greater self-efficacy for partner communication were less likely to have partners at risk for HIV (AOR=.94; p=.032).

Conclusions: Results suggest that immigrant Latinas who report depressive symptoms may be more prone to engage in sexual relationships with male partners who are at increased risk of HIV, thereby increasing their own risks of HIV/STD acquisition. However, being older and having increased communication self-efficacy about condom use may reduce the likelihood of these high-risk relationships. A better understanding of why Latinas engage in high-risk heterosexual relationships is critical for developing culturally- and gender-appropriate strategies to support Latinas' effort to select male partners who are not at high-risk of HIV.