HIV Risk and Prevention Among Hispanic Immigrants in New York: The Salience of Diversity

Abstract

The importance of identifying differences in HIV risk between Hispanic subgroups is the focus of this article. Data are drawn from two New York–based HIV-related studies: among Puerto Rican drug users and among new immigrants from Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Results indicated that intercultural individuals (i.e., those involved in both Puerto Rican and mainland cultures) were less risky in terms of injection- and sex-related risk behaviors and that geographic and other contextual factors, along with cultural norms, influence risk behaviors for immigrants. Both studies indicate the need to differentiate subgroup factors affecting HIV risk and prevention behaviors to develop appropriate and effective community-based interventions. The study's limitations are noted.

Keywords :

• HIV
• drug use
• immigrants
• migrants
• Hispanics
• HIV risk
• risk behaviors
• interculturality
• protective factors

THE AUTHORS

Sherry Deren, Ph.D., is the Director of the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) at the New York University College of Nursing. Dr. Deren has been Principal Investigator for many research projects funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), related to drug use and HIV. As the Director of the CDUHR, a NIDA-funded P30 Research Center focused on the sociobehavioral study of drug use–HIV/AIDS, she oversees a research infrastructure for over 25 research projects at New York University College of Nursing and affiliated institutions. She is also the cofounder of the New York HIV Research Centers Consortium, composed of over 20 HIV research centers in the New York tri-State area. She has served on National Institutes of Health research review committees, is vice-chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and is the author of many articles on HIV/AIDS prevention among high-risk substance users.

Michele G. Shedlin, Ph.D., Professor, NYU College of Nursing, is a medical anthropologist with extensive experience in reproductive health, immigrant health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS research in Latin America and the U.S. She has designed and implemented behavioral studies and qualitative research training at the community, university and national levels, to inform and evaluate prevention and care. Dr. Shedlin is currently involved in NIH-funded research on HIV risk for Colombian refugees in Ecuador, ARV adherence among US-Mexico border populations, and drug and sex related risk for HIV/STDs among post-Katrina Latino migrant workers in New Orleans.

Sung-Yeon Kang, Ph.D., has been a researcher and Principal Investigator for over 20 years on a wide variety of projects funded by the NIDA and other agencies. These projects have focused on drug abuse and related problems, such as HIV/AIDS, psychological status, criminal involvement, and other public health issues. Her numerous published articles include topics on HIV/AIDS risk behaviors and networks among Puerto Rican drug users, HIV risks among incarcerated populations, evaluation of drug treatment, and the validity of self-reported drug use. Her current research interest is to identify factors that are associated with gender differences in health care and drug treatment utilization.

Dr. Dharma E. Cortés has been conducting community-based research with Latinos in the United States for more than 15 years. Her work has focused on the study of culture, mental and physical health, health literacy, and health and mental health service utilization research. She has conducted studies focusing on acculturation, health, mental health, and quality of health care in Latino populations. Her past and current research combines qualitative and quantitative research methods.