Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Volume 61, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 610-617

The effect of migration on HIV high-risk behaviors among mexican migrants (Article)

Sanchez M.A.* , Hernández M.T. , Hanson J.E. , Vera A. , Magis-Rodríguez C. , Ruiz J.D. , Garza A.H. , Castañeda X. , Aoki B.K. , Lemp G.F.
  • a California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA, United States
  • b California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA, United States
  • c Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • d California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA, United States
  • e Centro Nacional para la Preven-ción y el Control del VIH/SIDA, Secretaría de Salud, México City, Mexico
  • f Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Communicable Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, United States
  • g San Mateo County Health Department, San Mateo, CA, United States
  • h Health Initiative of the Americas, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • i California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA, United States
  • j California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA, United States

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between Mexican migration to the United States and an increased frequency of HIV high-risk behaviors among male Mexican migrants. However, the individual level change in these behaviors after migration has not been quantified. Objective: To estimate the change in HIV high-risk behaviors among Mexican migrants after migration to the United States. Methods: A case-crossover study was embedded in the California Mexico Epidemiological Surveillance Pilot, a targeted, venue-based, sampling survey. We implemented the study from July to November 2005, studying 458 Mexican migrants at sites in rural and urban areas in Fresno County and San Diego County and directly comparing individual HIV high-risk behaviors before and after migration. Results: After migration, there were increases in the odds of male migrants engaging in sex with a sex worker [odds ratio (OR) = 2.64, P < 0.0001], sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OR = 5.00, P < 0.0001), performing sex work (OR = 6.00, P = 0.070), and sex with a male partner (OR = 13.00, P = 0.001). Those male Mexican migrant subgroups at particularly elevated risk were those in the United States for more than 5 years, those from the youngest age cohort (18-29 years old), or those frequenting high-risk behavior venues and male work venues. Conclusions: Our results show that Mexican migrant men were significantly more likely to engage in several HIV high-risk behaviors after migration to the United States. However, a smaller proportion of men reported low condom use after migration, indicating increased adoption of some prevention methods. Our results also identified subgroups of Mexican migrants at elevated risk who should be targeted for HIV prevention interventions. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Author Keywords

Migration Mexican migrant HIV High-risk behaviors Case-crossover study

Index Keywords

urban area rural area HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection alcohol consumption human sexuality middle aged Sexual Partners condom Condoms priority journal ethnology Mexico men who have sex with men condom use cocaine United States Young Adult Humans Adolescent California male female prostitution Article high risk behavior disease transmission Risk-Taking major clinical study adult migration drug use Utilization Review diamorphine Emigration and Immigration methamphetamine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84873154894&doi=10.1097%2fQAI.0b013e318273b651&partnerID=40&md5=3f87608e647b7b3859d2dbd3e9d99ac1
DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e318273b651
ISSN: 15254135
Cited by: 26
Original Language: English