Influence of religiosity on sexual risk behavior among migrant workers

Background: In the U.S., ethnic minorities are a population at increasing risk of HIV infection. Many studies have shown positive association between spirituality and both number of sex partners and frequency of sex without condom (Burris et. al., 2009; Villarruel et. al., 2007). The aim of this study was to examine the association between religiosity and HIV preventive behaviors among Migrant Workers (MWs).

Method: Using baseline data from an HIV/AIDS intervention study among MWs (N=431) from Immokalee, Florida, the association between sexual risk behavior and religiosity was analyzed. To evaluate religiosity, participants were asked the questions: “Do you consider yourself to be religious?” on a Likert scale from 1 (Very religious) to 4 (Not religious). Sexual risk behavior was assessed using the Vaginal Episode Equivalent (VEE), which weights various sexual acts based on a differential risk as the outcome variable. Simple linear regression analysis was conducted with both demographic variables and religiosity as independent variables.

Results: Only 14.0% (n=60) of the participants were “not religious”. Thirty one percent (n=132) of subjects said they were “a little religious” while 38% (n=164) were “somewhat religious” and 17% (n=73) were “very religious”. Regression analysis showed that religiosity (Beta=-2.998, p=0.032), and gender (Beta=4.062, p=0.000) significantly predicted VEE score.

Conclusion: The finding of the study indicates an inverse relationship between sexual risk behavior and the level of religiosity. From a disease prevention standpoint, the significance of this study is that, encouraging people to participate in religious activity might help them refrain from risky sexual behavior.