Those at highest risk for HIV due to drug use among migrant workers

Background: Migrant workers (MW) have been reported to consume high levels of illegal substances as a coping measure for their unstable lifestyle. The consumption of such illegal substances have been associated with risky sexual behaviors which increase the likelihood of HIV and STI transmission.

Methods: Baseline data (n=431) was used from an ongoing HIV/AIDS intervention study among MWs in Immokalee, Florida. The sample was composed of African American and Hispanics. The dependent variables examined were age of first use, the number of times of use for marijuana and crack, and number of unprotected vagina acts.

Results: The MW sample was composed of only African American and Hispanic participants which were further divided into four groups: African American males (22.3%, n=96), African American females (15.1%, n=65), Hispanic males (50.3%, n=217), and Hispanic females (12.3%, n=53). Hispanic females were found to have tried marijuana at about 15 years (F = 5.538, p=0.001) and crack at the 26 years of age (F=2.727, p=0.044). Hispanic females reported consuming crack the most number of times in the last 30 days, reaching about 33 times (F=5.210, p=0.002). Hispanic females reported highest number of unprotected vaginal acts (F=7.210, p<0.01) out of the four groups assessed.

Conclusion: The results categorize Hispanic females as one of the highest HIV risk groups among the groups examined due to use of illegal substances. Such findings demonstrate the need for vigorous intervention efforts to address a reduction in illegal substance among Hispanic females.