Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Locus of Control and HIV Risk Among a Sample of Mexican and Puerto Rican Women

  • Published:
Journal of Immigrant Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Hispanic women in the United States has been variously attributed to a failure to utilize protective measures due to low levels of HIV knowledge, a denial or minimization of risk, and conflicts with cultural norms. It has been hypothesized that women's relative lack of power in relationships may be associated with higher risk sexual behavior. We examined the relationship between higher risk sexual behavior and perceived locus of control in sexual relationships among a sample of Puerto Rican and Mexican women. We interviewed 71 women of self-reported Mexican ethnicity in San Diego, California, and 79 women of self-reported Puerto Rican ethnicity in Cleveland, Ohio, to examine the relationship between HIV risk, HIV knowledge, and locus of control. Univariate logistic regression indicates that among Puerto Rican women, the perception that locus of control in a sexual relationship resides in the male partner was significantly associated with increased HIV risk, while younger age was significantly associated with increased risk among Mexican women only. In a combined sample of both Puerto Rican and Mexican women, multiple logistic regression analysis indicates that younger age, increased length of residence in the United States, and an other-focused locus of control are significantly associated with increased HIV risk. Women who have been in the United States for relatively longer periods of time may be more likely to integrate U.S. sexual norms into their own behavior and may, as a consequence, be at higher risk of HIV infection. Increased HIV prevention efforts must be made available to Mexican and Puerto Rican women born outside of the United States. These prevention efforts must necessarily focus not only on HIV prevention strategies, but also on the dynamics within male–female intimate relations. Increased attention to younger Puerto Rican and Mexican women is also needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Haverkos HW, Turner JF, Jr, Moolchan ET, Cadet JL: Relative rates of AIDS among racial/ethnic groups by exposure categories. J Nat Med Assoc 1991; 91:17–24

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kaiser Family Foundation: Latinos and HIV/AIDS: Key Facts. Menlo Park, CA: Author; 2003

    Google Scholar 

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention: HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2001; 13:1–44

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lee K: The toll of HIV/AIDS on minority women: In: Impact. Washington, DC: Office of Minority Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services; Spring, 2000:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  5. Klevens RM, Diaz T, Fleming PL, Mays MA, Frey R: Trends in AIDS among Hispanics in the United States, 1991-1996. Am J Public Health 1999; 89:1104–1106

    Google Scholar 

  6. San Diego County, Office of AIDS Coordination: Fact Sheet: San Diego County, The HIV/AIDS Crisis in the Latino Community and the South Bay Area. Office of AIDS Coordination, San Diego, CA: Author; April 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  7. State of Ohio, Department Of Health: HIV/AIDS Quarterly Statistical Summary. Columbus, OH: State of Ohio; December 1999

  8. State of Ohio, Department of Health: Women's Health Data: AIDS: Female Populations at Risk. Retieved May 2, 2002, from http://www.odh.state.oh.us/Data/Womendata/ book2/stats-aids.html

  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 1999; 11

  10. County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Community Epidemiology: AIDS Epidemiology Report; January 4, 2000

  11. Flaskerud JH, Nyamathi A: Effects of an AIDS education program on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of low income Black and Latina women. J Commun Health 1990; 15:343–355

    Google Scholar 

  12. Marin B: Hispanic culture: Effects on prevention and care. Focus 1991; 6:1–2

    Google Scholar 

  13. Burgos N, Perez V: An exploration of human sexuality in the Puerto Rican culture. J Soc Work Human Sex 1986; 4:135–150

    Google Scholar 

  14. Aruffo J, Cloverdale J, Vallbona C: AIDS knowledge in low income and minority populations. Public Health Rep 1991; 106:115–119

    Google Scholar 

  15. Flaskerud JH, Uman G: Directions for AIDS education for Hispanic women based on analyses of survey findings. Public Health Rep 1993; 108:298–304

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hingson R, Strunin L, Craven DE, Mofensen L, Mangione T, Berlin B, Amaco H, Lamb GA: Survey of AIDS knowledge and behavior changes among Massachusetts adults. Prev Med 1989; 18:806–816

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kroliczak A: AIDS among Hispanics in the United States [abstract no. WDP33]: In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on AIDS, Montreal, Canada, June 4-9, 1989:748

  18. Marin G: AIDS prevention among Hispanics: Needs, risk behaviors and cultural values. Public Health Rep 1989; 104:411–415

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rivera Y, Petty PA, Krepcho MA, Haley CE: AIDS knowledge and attitudes of adult Latino students in English-as-a-second-language classes [abstract no. E552]: In: Proceedings of the Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on AIDS, Montreal, Canada, June 4-9, 1989:894

  20. Marin BV, Tschann JM, Gomez CA, Kegeles SM: Acculturation and gender differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors: Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic white unmarried adults. Am J Public Health 1993; 83:1759–1761

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mata A, Jorquez J: Mexican-American intravenous drug users. Needleshot practices: Implications for AIDS prevention. Nat Inst Drug Abuse Monogr Serv 1988; 81:40–58

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sabogal F, Perez-Stable EJ, Otero-Sabogal R, Hiatt RA: Gender, ethnic, and acculturation differences in sexual behaviors: Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1995; 17:139–159

    Google Scholar 

  23. Marin BV, Marin G: Predictors of condom accessibility among Hispanics in San Francisco. Am J Public Health 1992; 82:592–595

    Google Scholar 

  24. Van Oss Marin B, Gomez CA, Hearst N: Multiple heterosexual partners and condom use among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Fam Plann Persp 1993; 25:170–174

    Google Scholar 

  25. Organista PB, Organista KC, Soloff PR. Exploring AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of female mexican migrant workers. Health and Social Work 1998; 23:96-103

    Google Scholar 

  26. Deren S, Shedlin M, Beardsley M: HIV-related concerns and behaviors among Hispanic women. AIDS Educ Prev 1996; 8:335–342

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hines AM, Caetano R: Alcohol and AIDS-related sexual behavior among Hispanics: Acculturation and gender differences. AIDS Educ Prev 1998; 10:533–547

    Google Scholar 

  28. Aversa S, Mccoy HV, Randall L, McBridge DC: Socio-demographic influences on condom use: Rural, chronic drug users and their main and other sexual partners [abstract no. 14164]: In: Abstracts of the Twelfth International Conference on AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland, June 28-July 3, 1998:215

  29. Marin BV, Marin G: Effects of acculturation on knowledge of AIDS and HIV among Hispanics. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1990; 12:110–121

    Google Scholar 

  30. May VM, Cochran SD: Issues in the perception of AIDS risk and risk reduction activities by Black and Hispanic/Latina women. Am Psychol 1988; 43:949–957

    Google Scholar 

  31. Caetano R, Hines A: Alcohol, sexual practices, and risk of AIDS among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Human Retrovirol 1995; 10:554–561

    Google Scholar 

  32. Sabogal F, Faigeles B, Catania JA: Data from the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys. II. Multiple sexual partners among Hispanics in high-risk cities. Fam Plann Persp 1993; 25:257–262

    Google Scholar 

  33. McCormick N: Sexual Salvation: Affirming Women's Sexual Rights and Pleasures. Westport, CT: Praeger; 1994

    Google Scholar 

  34. Perper T, Weiss DL: Proceptive and rejective: Strategies of U.S. and Canadian college women. J Sex Res 1987; 23:455–480

    Google Scholar 

  35. Cruz D, Serrano-Garcia, I: La relación entre la percepción de moralidad y las practices sexuales de alto riesgo en mu-jeres puertorriqueñas. Paper presented at the Interamerican Congress of Psychology, Sao Paulo, Brazil; July 1997

  36. Saul J, Norris FH, Bartholow KK, Dixon D, Peters M, Moore J: Heterosexual risk for HIV among Puerto Rican women: Does power influence self-protective behavior? AIDS & Behav 2000; 4:361–371

    Google Scholar 

  37. Pitts M, Bowman M, McMaster J: Reactions to repeated STD infections: Psychosocial aspects and gender issues in Zimbabwe. Soc Sci Med 1995; 40:1299–1304

    Google Scholar 

  38. Shervington DO: The acceptability of the female condom among low-income African American women. J Nat Med Assoc 1993; 85:341–347

    Google Scholar 

  39. Singer SM, Willms DG, Adrien A, Baxter J, Brabazon C, Leaune V, Godin G, Maticka-Tyndale E, Cappon P: Many voices-Sociocultural results of the ethnocultural communities facing AIDS study in Canada. Can J Public Health 1996; 87:26–32

    Google Scholar 

  40. Pollner M: The effects of interviewer gender in mental health interviews. J Nerv Ment Dis 1998; 186:369–373

    Google Scholar 

  41. Burrus BB, Liburd LC, Burroughs A: Maximizing participation by Black Americans in population-based diabetes research: The Project Direct experience. J Commun Health 1998; 23:15–27

    Google Scholar 

  42. Marin G, Gamba RJ: A new measurement of acculturation for Hispanics: The Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS). Hispanic J Behav Sci 1996; 18:297–316

    Google Scholar 

  43. Loue S: Defining the immigrant: In: S. Loue, ed. Handbook of Immigrant Health. New York: Plenum; 1998

    Google Scholar 

  44. Loue S, Foerstel J: Assessing immigration status and eligibil-ity for publicly funded medical care: A questionnaire for pub-lic health professionals. Am J Public Health 1996; 86:1623–1625

    Google Scholar 

  45. Catania JA, Coates TJ, Golden E, Dolcini M, Peterson J, Kegeles S, Siegel D, Thomson, Fullilove M: Correlates of condom use among black, Hispanic, and white heterosexuals in San Francisco: The AMEN longitudinal survey. AIDS Educ Prev 1994; 6:12–26

    Google Scholar 

  46. Loue S, Groza V, ARAS Working Group: HIV knowledge and attitudes in Iasi, Romania: A pilot study. J Health Manag Public Health 1998; 3

  47. Sikkema KJ, Heckman TG, Kelly JA, Anderson ES, Winett RA, Solomon LJ, Wagstaff DA, Roffman RA, Perry MJ, Cargill V, Crumble DA, Fuqua RW, Norman AD, Mercer HB: HIV risk behaviors among women living in low-income, inner-city housing developments. Am J Public Health 1996; 86:1123–1128

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lafferty J: Self-injection and needle sharing among migrant farmworkers (letter). Am J Public Health 1991; 81:221

    Google Scholar 

  49. Loue S, Oppenheim S: Immigration and HIV (letter). Am J Public Health 1993; 83:286

    Google Scholar 

  50. Gil RM, Inoa-Vazquez C: The Maria Paradox: How Latinas Can Merge Old World Tradition With New World Self-Esteem. New York: G.P. Putnam Sons; 1996

    Google Scholar 

  51. Comas-Diaz L, Griffith E, Pinderhughes E, Wyche K: Editorial. Coming of age: Cultural diversity and mental health. Cult Divers Ment Health 1:1–2

  52. Ortiz-Torres B, Rapkin B, Mantell J, Tross S: Is transculturation related to sexual risk behavior among Latinas? In: Proceedings of the VIII International Conference on AIDS/III STD World Congress, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 1992

  53. Soto E, Shaver P: Sex role traditionalism, assertiveness and symptoms of Puerto Rican women living in the United States. Hispanic J Behav Sci 1982; 4:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  54. Civic D, Scholes D, Ichikawa L, Grothaus L, McBride CM, Yarnall KSH, Fish L: Ineffective use of condoms among young women in managed care. AIDS Care 2002; 14:779–788

    Google Scholar 

  55. Cornelius WA: Interviewing undocumented immigrants: Methodological reflections based on fieldwork in Mexico and the United States. Int Migration Rev 1981; 16:378–411

    Google Scholar 

  56. Faugier J, Sargeant M: Sampling hard to reach populations. J Adv Nurs 1997; 26:790–797

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

    Sana Loue, Marlene Cooper, Fatoumata Traore & Jay Fiedler

Authors
  1. Sana Loue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marlene Cooper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fatoumata Traore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jay Fiedler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Loue, S., Cooper, M., Traore, F. et al. Locus of Control and HIV Risk Among a Sample of Mexican and Puerto Rican Women. Journal of Immigrant Health 6, 155–165 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIH.0000045253.19409.02

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIH.0000045253.19409.02

Search

Navigation