142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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303735
HIV risk behaviors persist among migrant workers in south Florida

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Nancy Shehadeh, PhD, CHES , Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
H. Virginia McCoy, PhD , Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Muni Rubens, MBBS, MPH , Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background: Migrant workers (MW) are disproportionately affected by HIV status due to factors associated with the migrant worker lifestyle. This study analyzes the changes in a number of risky behaviors practiced by MWs in Immokalee, Florida and the effect on their HIV status after participation in a 4-hour HIV risk reduction program. 

Methods: Six month follow-up data (N= 270) was gathered from a HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction intervention study in Immokalee, Florida. Demographics, alcohol use, previous STD diagnosis, 6-month change in marijuana, crack and alcohol use, 6-month change in sexual risk behavior (Vaginal Episode Equivalent-VEE) were measured.

Results: The sample was composed of Hispanics (n=142) and African Americans (n= 128). The overall educational level was generally low in both ethnic groups (M = 8.45, SD = 3.39). The logistic regression model predicting HIV status was statistically significant, Chi Square (8, N=270) = 28.185, p < .001). Participants with a positive HIV status, at 6 month follow-up, had significantly increased their sexual risk (VEE); p = .043), but less likely to have reported a previous STD diagnosis (p = .026); had increased their marijuana use (p = .036) but not their alcohol use; and were less likely to be married.

Conclusion: MW who participated in a risk reduction intervention were more likely at 6-months post to test HIV positive if they continued to engage in risky vaginal sex and use marijuana. This study illustrates the importance of identifying the risk behaviors that were resistant to change and persisted.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the importance of continuing HIV risk reduction interventions being implemented in the migrant worker community in South Florida. Describe the risky behaviors that continued to persist in a migrant worker population that are participating in a HIV risk reduction project.

Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, Vulnerable Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working in the area of HIV risk in the migrant worker community for the last 5 years, and have had the opportunity to publish a number of articles on HIV risk among migrant workers. My mentor for my post-doctoral studies, Dr. H. V. McCoy, is an expert in HIV/AIDS in the migrant worker community and has supervised my work.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3068.0: Sexual Risk Reduction