There is an HIVAIDS epidemic crisis affecting the Hispanic/Latino community in the U.S., which is barely being noticed. There are several factors which contribute to HIV/AIDS, infection rates in the Latino communities including: Sexual behaviors, cultural sensitivities, incarceration rates, and several other demographics.
The Center for Disease Control, “Hispanics/Latinos represent approximately 15% of the United States population in 2007, they accounted for 17% of new HIV infections in 50 states during that same year.”
According to the Census Bureau for 2008, Latinos are the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the U.S. Nearly 1 out of 3 residents in the U.S will be of Hispanic ethnicity by the year 2050.
Hispanics and Latinos are disproportionately at risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections compared to white populations.
They comprised 76% of new HIV infections among all Hispanics.
Hispanic women were 24% of new HIV infections which were nearly 4 times that of white women.
Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) accounted for 72% of all newly HIV-infected Hispanic men.
The youngest age group of Hispanic MSM infected with HIV was between the ages of 13 and 29 years and accounted for 43% of all new HIV infections among Hispanics in 2006.
Factors which contributed to increased infection rates besides MSM (Men having unprotected Sex with Men) were: Unprotected intercourse, and drug injection behaviors which vary according to where the individuals are from.
For example, Hispanic men from Puerto Rico are more likely to acquire HIV as a result of injection drug use and high risk sex with women.
Hispanic men from Cuba, the U.S., Central and South America, and Mexico are more likely to contract HIV from their sexual interactions with HIV-infected men.
Hispanic women contract HIV by having sex with HIV-infected men.
According to the
CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35-44 in the U.S.
Poverty, low literacy, language skills, incarceration, and limited access to health care are also contributing factors to HIV infection.
This is a link for the Latino Commission on Aids:
The Latino Comission on Aids "Unidos Podemos"
There are sexist beliefs that are related to gender roles which will increase HIV/AIDS infection rates as well as risky behaviors.
Gender roles and expectations are different between Latino men and women.
( I have a problem with some of the generalizations made in these studies - I believe studies need to further break down the demographics to include acculturation,assimilation, generations, religiosity of Hispanic/Latinos)
Machismo is a cultural term in which Latino men identify with increased virility, independence, physical strength, and sexual prowess.
For Latina women, there is “marianismo” which shapes the behavior of women by claiming that women are pure beings and are not expected to discuss sexual issues with men.
Women who adhere to “marianismo” are expected not to discuss sexual issues with men, which might lead to issues regarding expectations and assumptions about condom use. The cultural expectation to be submissive is theorized to prohibit healthy sexual decision-making.
Can acculturation be a good or bad thing? Acculturation by Hispanics/Latinos has been associated with greater mainstream behaviors including those that can lead to increased risks for HIV transmission or infection.
Another study which I reviewed, addresses the need for access to cultural and linguistic appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention for Latinos. The study presents the types of barriers that Latinos face in seeking medical care.
These barriers include results of higher than average rates of uninsurance, language and literacy barriers. There are prevailing treatment modalities that run counter to Latino/Hispanic cultural practices, beliefs and behaviors. Hispanic/Latinos are reportedly unlikely to use preventive health services.
Richardo Pimentel an editor for the Journal Sentinel, wrote an article called “Marianismo is not Mom’s best friend”. He describes how he remembers his mother’s devotion to him and his brother. He never made his bed or cooked his own meals. He admits now in reflection that he and his brother took advantage of her devotion. He claims that she was proud of how she raised her two sons and that is all that mattered to her.
Another writer by the name of Bianca I. Laureano who maintains a website called LatinoSexuality.com argues in her article called “Deconstructing “Marianismo”, that “Latinos do NOT have a monopoly on machismo.” It is in every culture in some form.
Larueano claims that “marianismo” along with Machismo has been used primarily by outsiders such as anthropologists, or sociologists who “observe” communities and spaces of which they may not always be a member. She believes that many of these cultural values that were applied to Latinos are a legacy of colonization.
Link to Blanca Laureano's article on Marianismo:
Deconstructing "marianismo" by Blanca Laureano
Link to Robert Pimentel's article on Marianismo:
Robert Pimentel
Recommendations for fighting the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Hispanic/Latino community include provided from several research studies:
Providing culturally sensitive materials including mini-novella’s, radio-novellas, teaching strategies on safe sex practices, condom use and skills, and gender specific issues related to HIV prevention for women.
The gender specific issues were related to domestic violence, power imbalances, and economic welfare and specific issues related to college students such as date rape and violence during dating.
There needs to be the creation of a sense of urgency concerning HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Hispanic Latino community. Research studies recommended innovative approaches that should be used by and for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The CDC Study that I reviewed particularly wanted to ensure that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is addressed in the gay Hispanic/Latino community. There are also recommendations to develop HIV prevention guidelines for schools and youth-serving organizations.
Links to sites helping to fight HIV/AIDS:
Hispanic and Latino Youth and HIV/AIDS
"The Body: Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
National Latino AIDS Action Network
The White House Office of National AIDS Policy
Peer review Journals:
Demographic factors and sexist beliefs as predictors of condom use among Latinos in the USA. AIDS Care, 22(8), 1021-1028. doi:10.1080/09540121.2010.487089
Summary of comments and recommendations from the CDC consultation on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and prevention in the Hispanic/Latino community. AIDS Education & Prevention, 21(5), 7-18. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
US Latina age of sexual debut: long-term associations and implications for HIV and drug abuse prevention. AIDS Care
SENORITAS: an HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevention project for Latina college students at a Hispanic-serving university. JANAC: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 19(4), 311-319. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Addressing the need for access to culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention for Latinos. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health, 10(5), 445-460. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
I question the use of terms like Machismo and the “marianismo” which have been applied in these peer reviewed studies without considering the diversity and variations in cultural norms across all Hispanic/Latino populations.
I am concerned that stereotyping by those in the medical profession and health care system, will contribute even more to issues of inequity currently being experienced by Blacks, Hispanic/Latinos, Asians, and other groups in the health care system. (I'm working on another research paper on the "inequity" aspect of health care for Hispanic/Latinos).