Hispanic/Latino migrants and immigrants are vulnerable to infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Participation in social support networks helps them cope with circumstances in the U.S. Studies of Hispanic/Latino migrants suggest that participation may also be protective against HIV/STD infection. However the studies do not satisfactorily explain how participation leads to protective actions, and recommend externally-induced interventions for HIV/STD prevention rather than incorporating the spontaneously occurring forms of social support they describe. Given the potential protective effects of support networks, a database search was conducted to ascertain the extent to which published HIV/STD prevention interventions for these populations incorporate their support networks. Very few interventions were identified and fewer still incorporate support networks. This commentary calls for research to understand more fully how support networks affect HIV/STD risks among Hispanic/Latino migrants and immigrants and identifies potential benefits of incorporating these networks in HIV/STD prevention for these vulnerable populations. © Meharry Medical College.

immigrants Social support Migrants Sexually transmitted diseases Social support networks Hispanics HIV/AIDS Latinos

HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection human statistics and numerical data coping behavior social network Adaptation, Psychological social support ethnology Hispanic Americans sexually transmitted disease Sexually Transmitted Diseases United States Humans migrant psychology Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female migration Social Networking Transients and Migrants