Facilitating and Inhibiting Factors of Sexual Behavior among Migrants in Transition from Mexico to the United States

Abstract

IntroductionHuman immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the border region of Mexico due to the flow of migrants under desperate conditions, encouraging casual and unprotected sex. Since this has become a binational public health problem, it is important to understand the factors that predict these sexual behaviors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the facilitators and inhibitors of transition in the sexual behavior of migrants from two border regions on the Mexico–United States (US) border.MethodsThis was a predictive and cross-sectional study. A sample of 256 migrants in shelters for migrants on the border between Mexico and US were selected through systematic random sampling. Predictor variables investigated for effect on the safe sexual behavior (SSB) of the migrant were reasons for having sex; sexual attitudes; sexual machismo; knowledge about HIV; access to health services; and social discrimination.ResultsThe sample was predominantly male (89.5%), with 46.1% reporting being single. The average age was 33.38 years (SD = 9.73) and the average number of years of education reported was 8.05 (SD = 3.37). A permissive sexual attitude and sexual machismo both correlated with condom use (rs = 0.130, p < 0.01 and rs = −0.174, p < 0.01, respectively). Regression analysis showed that a permissive sexual attitude decreased the practice of safe sex (β = 0.17, t = 4.16, p < 0.001), as did sexual machismo (β = −0.28, t = −4.83, p < 0.001) and HIV knowledge (β = −0.11, t = −2.62, p = 0.006).DiscussionIt was found that access to health services did not influence the SSB of migrants, as suggested by the literature. However, a permissive sexual attitude, sexual machismo, and HIV knowledge were all variables capable of predicting SSB. It is recommended that the study is extended to study migrant populations from other parts of the border, as well undertaking as a qualitative approach to explore new variables.

Autoestima y su relación con la conducta sexual de riesgo para el VIH en migrantes: revisión sistemática

“…Dado a los resultados se identifican inconsistencias debido a que se esperaría que de acuerdo al concepto de autoestima; si se presenta una autoestima alta significaría un factor de protección para conductas de riesgo (14,16,17) , lo que representaría una relación positiva en la disminución de las conductas sexuales de riesgo. Sin embargo, se identificaron resultados de autoestima baja y autoestima alta que se relacionan con conductas sexuales de riesgo.…”

Prevalence and determinants of intercourse without condoms among migrants and refugees in Morocco, 2021: a cross-sectional study

“…In a study by Zhuang et al in 2012 on a sample of 1625 migrants in China, young age was associated with high-risk HIV sexual behaviors 20 . This could be explained by the attitudes that young people have towards sexuality and the fact that young people agree to have sex with casual sex partners or in exchange for money 21 . In our study, age was not associated with high-risk HIV sexual behaviors.…”

“…Talking about sexual behavior, condom use, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases were not subjects to be discussed with the close entourage of migrants 25 . The literature also reports that migrants who know about prevention methods against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV adopt safer sexual behaviors 21 . In our study, insufficient general knowledge about HIV was not a risk factor for having intercourse without condoms with casual partners.…”

“…25 . The literature also reports that migrants who know about prevention methods against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV adopt safer sexual behaviors 21 . In our study, insufficient general knowledge about HIV was not a risk factor for having intercourse without condoms with casual partners.…”

Uso de condón y consumo de drogas en migrantes: revisión sistemática

“…La Organización Mundial de la Salud reporta que a nivel mundial existen 38.4 millones de personas que viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana y Síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (VIH/sida) (1) , de las cuales aproximadamente 2.1 millones viven en América Latina (2) . La propagación de las enfermedades transmisibles se ha asociado con la movilidad poblacional, que incluye a los migrantes, los cuales tienen tres veces más probabilidad de adquirir VIH/sida (3) en comparación con otros grupos poblacionales, puesto que la migración facilita que un mayor número de personas se relacionen entre sí y estén propensos a tener múltiples y recurrentes relaciones sexuales sin protección, y usar drogas y alcohol; por lo tanto hay una probabilidad de aumento de la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas, incluyendo a las personas, que son deportadas (4) .…”