Abstract
A preliminary survey was conducted with 102 migrant day laborers (MDLs) to assess HIV risk and related contextual problems and issues. These men were primarily Mexican, of low SES background, low in acculturation to the United States, and their income ranged from $100 and $400 a week, 40% of which is sent back home. The psychosocial context of HIV risk included concerns expressed about lack of money and employment, followed by racism, social isolation, sadness and loneliness. High rates of alcohol use and binge drinking that co-occur with sexual activities were reported. While only 7% of MDLs reported illegal injection drug use, needles were frequently shared without bleach cleaning. Men generally did not carry condoms and knowledge of proper condom use was poor. For the most common form of sex reported, vaginal sex, condom use was infrequent. However, men did report confidence in being able to insist on condom use in challenging sexual situations, and they also reported fairly frequent pro-condom attitudes and behaviors within their social circles. Slightly over half of the men reported sexual activity with female partners, during the past 2 months. These female partners were almost evenly divided into regular sex partners, including spouses, and riskier partners such as one time only sex partners, prostitutes, and multiple sex partners. Results also indicated encouraging efforts by MDLs to reduce risk with risky partners (e.g., more condom use).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Organista KC, Balls Organista P: Migrant laborers and AIDS in the United States: A review of the literature. AIDS Educ Prev 1997; 9:83–93
Organista KC, Carrillo H, Ayala G: HIV prevention with Mexican migrants: Review, critique, and recommendations. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2004; (Suppl. 4) 37(4):S227–239
Bronfman M, Campos-Ortega S, Medina, H: La migracion internacional y el SIDA: El caso de Mexico y Estados Unidos [International migration and AIDS: The case of Mexico and the United Sates]: In: Amor SJ, Bronfman M, Ruiz Palacios G, Stanislawski E, Valdespino JL, eds., SIDA, ciencia y sociedad en Mexico. Mexico: Secrataria de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Fondo de Cultural Economica; 1989
Alderete E, Vega WA, Kolody B, Aguilar-Gaxiola S: Lifetime prevalence of risk factors for psychiatric disorders among Mexican migrant farmworkers in California. Am J Public Health 2000; 90(4):608–614
Organista KC, Balls Organista P, Garcia de Alba GJE, Castillo Moran, MA, Ureta Carrillo LE: Survey of condom-related beliefs, behaviors, and perceived social norms in Mexican migrant laborers. J Community Health 1997; 22(3):185–198
Organista, KC: HIV prevention models with Mexican farmworkers: In: Mascoske R and Smith JD, eds. Practice Models in HIV Services: Empowerment-based models and program applications. New York: Haworth Press; 2004
Valenzuela A Jr: Day labor work. Annual Review of Sociology, 2003; 29:307–333.
Valenzuela A Jr : Working on the margins in metropolitan Los Angeles: Immigrants in day-labor work. Migraciones Internacionales, 2002; {2}(1):1–22.
Organista KC: The Latino Migrant Laborer Questionnaire. Unpublished questionnaire. School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley; 2005
Marin G, Sabogal F, Marin BV, Otero-Sabogal R, Perez-Stable EJ: Development of a short acculturation scale for Hispanics. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science 1987; 9:183–205
Diaz RM, Ayala G, Bein E, Henne J, Marin BV: The impact of homophobia, poverty, and racism on the mental health of gay and bisexual Latino men: Findings from three U.S. cities. Am J Public Health 2001; 91(6):927–932
Straus MA: The Conflict Tactics Scales and its critics: An evaluation and new data on validity and reliability: In: Straus MA, Gelles RJ, eds. Physical Violence in American Families: Risk Factors and Adaptations to Violence in 8,145 Families. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books; 1990:49–71
Salgado de Snyder VN, Diaz Perez M de J, Maldonado M: AIDS: Risk behaviors among rural Mexican women married to migrant workers in the United States. AIDS Educ Prev 1996; 8(2):134–142
Ayala A, Carrier J, Magana JR: The underground world of Latina sex workers in cantina: In: Mishra SI, Connor RF, Magana JR, eds. AIDS Crossing Borders: The Spread of HIV Among Migrant Latinos. Boulder, CO: Westview Press; 1996:95–112
Balls Organista, P, Organista, KC, and Soloff, PR: Exploring AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of female Mexican migrant workers. Health and Social work, 1998; 23(2):96–103
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Organista, K.C., Kubo, A. Pilot Survey of HIV Risk and Contextual Problems and Issues In Mexican/Latino Migrant Day Laborers. J Immigrant Health 7, 269–281 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-005-5124-0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-005-5124-0