Social and psychological correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among Hispanic-American women: implications for STI/HIV prevention.
Heterosexual anal intercourse is associated with increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Research on the social and psychological risk factors associated with heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse among Hispanic women in the USA is limited. We examined demographic, mental health, relationship power, sexual self-efficacy, self-esteem, acculturation and HIV knowledge as correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among 514 HIV-negative Hispanic women, 18 to 59 years of age, residing in one urban county in southern Florida. In both unadjusted and adjusted results, the likelihood of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse was associated with food insecurity in the past 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.40) and more interpersonal power attributed to the male partner (AOR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.08, 2.45). Not significant, yet of possible importance, were ever having engaged in exchange sex (AOR = 1.96, 95%CI = 0.97, 3.98) and lower HIV knowledge (AOR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.63, 1.01). Interventions aimed at reducing heterosexual unprotected anal intercourse risk for HIV infection among Hispanic women may benefit by addressing socioeconomic and interpersonal issues, and assessing HIV knowledge and comprehension.
a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami , USA.
Olga
O
Villar-Loubet
a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami , USA.
Stephen M
SM
Weiss
b Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
Gary
G
Marks
b Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.|c Carter Consulting, Inc. , Atlanta , USA.
Christine
C
O'Daniels
a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami , USA.
Deborah
D
Jones
d Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health , Columbia University , New York , USA.
Lisa R
LR
Metsch
b Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
Eleanor
E
McLellan-Lemal
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005523:Food Supply; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000635:transmission*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000635:transmission*; D047568:Unsafe Sex
HIV knowledge; Hispanic women; Sexual relationship power; USA; anal sex