HIV/AIDS Education for Latina Inmates: The Delimiting Impact of Culture on Prevention Efforts

Abstract

Focus group interviews were conducted with groups of women prisoners to explore inductively their HIV-related needs and concerns. Content analysis determined broad areas of general concern for the women and highlighted obvious cultural distinctions. This article concentrates on those cultural influences as they pertain specifically to Latina women. This population is most at risk of entering the correctional system with HIV infection, and its rates of infection keep rising. Discussions of the concepts of machismo and marianismo and the role of the Catholic Church emphasize the difficulties in creating and implementing effective prevention campaigns within U.S. prison systems, especially for this population. Policy implications are discussed and recommendations offered that consider the delimiting impact of culture on HIV education efforts among incarcerated Latina women.

Older Latina Women and HIV/AIDS: An Examination of Sexuality and Culture as they Relate to Risk and Protective Factors

“…This can have serious consequences within the context of traditional relationships. West (2001) noted that many Latinas in her study indicated that departures from traditional sex roles (such as knowledge of sex, or actual or perceived promiscuity) would be considered a lack of respect for their partner, and an affront to his machismo. This includes discussion of safe sex practices.…”

“…Men, for example, are expected to have considerable sexual knowledge and experience, and may feel the need to prove their masculinity through sexual activity with multiple partners (Marin, 2003; Marin & Gomez, 1998). West (2001) also noted that some Latinos may feel that conceiving children, even outside their primary relationship, enhances their feelings of machismo, and hence they may eschew the use of condoms.…”

“…This includes discussion of safe sex practices. Research suggests that use of condoms is a topic seldom broached by Latina women for fear that they may be viewed as promiscuous (Marin & Gomez, 1998; West, 2001). In fact, sexual matters are often not discussed even between partners due to what Marin and Gomez (1998) have called “sexual discomfort” (p. 5)-the reticence in traditional Latino cultural traditions to talk sexuality, which is considered intensely private.…”

“…This possible relationship, however, is entirely speculative. Ironically, some research has suggested that, in younger populations, some more acculturated Latinas react by rejecting the double standard of traditional sex roles and seeking multiple sexual partners of their own (Salabarria-Pena et al, 2003; West, 2001). Obviously, this would put them at greater risk.…”

“…One of the ways in which women show respeto for their husbands or partners is by deferring to him, and adhering to traditional gender roles, and thus maintaining the dignity of the family (Marin, 2003; Marin & Gomez, 1998). In a study of younger Latinas, this form of respect for husbands was one of the most important ways that Latinas distinguished themselves from non-Latinas, whom they often saw as disrespectful toward their men (West, 2001). …”