Safer sex practices among HIV positive Latino population – A narrative review

Background: The prevalence of HIV positive infection is growing amongst the Latino population. According to Kaiser Family Foundation Study (2009), there are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S including 200,000 Latinos accounting for 18% of the people living with the disease in 2006. The estimated AIDS prevalence increased among Latinos by 26% between 2003 and 2007. Unprotected sexual intercourse among the Latino population increases the risk of HIV transmission. There is a dearth of published literature dealing with maintenance of safer sex practices among HIV positive Latino population. Methods: An open search was conducted of databases such as PUBMED, CINAHL with full text, MEDLINE, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences collection using Boolean search strategy. A total of nine articles were extracted and all are discussed in this presentation. Results: Some of the important findings were, unprotected sexual intercourse increases with the partner who is HIV positive; increased acculturation leads to negative coping style and increased unsafe sexual behavior; group interventions integrated cultural competent practices exploring issues such as adherence, social isolation, stigma, disclosure, and safer-sex practices, among HIV positive Latinos; Quality of life concerns and need for safer sex practices in light of treatment advances for minority populations. Conclusions: Our literature search did not come across interventions for promoting or sustaining safer sex practices among HIV positive Latino population. Recommendations and health care practice implications for promoting and maintaining safer sex practices among HIV positive Latino population are discussed and presented.