Traditional gender roles and substance abuse, intimate partner violence and risky sexual behaviors among a community sample of Hispanic women

Background: Although cultural views regarding the appropriate roles that men and women play in society has been found to be associated with substance abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV) and risky sexual behaviors, there is a lack of understanding of how this cultural factor may link these conditions together among Hispanics. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between traditional gender roles and substance abuse, IPV and risky sexual behaviours among Hispanics. The Syndemic Model for Understanding Substance Abuse, Violence, HIV and Mental Health among Hispanics (Gonzalez-Guarda, Florom-Smith & Thomas, 2010) will be used to conceptualize the relationships between cultural factors and the main conditions. Methods: Data from Project SEPA II (Salud, Educación, Prevención y Autocuidado), a randomized control trial testing the efficacy of a HIV prevention program targeting Hispanic community women, will be used to test various relationships that are proposed by the Syndemic Model. Data on the participant's substance abuse practices, experiences with IPV, risky sexual behaviors and traditional gender roles were collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis and factor analysis will be conducted to explore the relationship between substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors and to describe the relationship between cultural factors and these conditions. Results & Conclusions: The results from this study support the relationship between substance abuse, IPV and risk for STIs and identify cultural factors that may link these conditions. By considering these conditions within an integrated framework and focusing on cultural factors that link these, more cost-effective and comprehensive primary prevention programs can be developed.