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Description
Deported Mexican migrants are a disadvantaged population with unique risk factors for HIV infection. Studies suggest that Mexican migrants frequently engage in sexual risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex and a high number of sexual partners. A previous study using similar methods and study population to those described in this paper found rates of HIV to be lower in Mexican migrants than the general United State's (US) population. However the relatively high prevalence of HIV risk behaviors among Mexican migrants could result in the rapid spread of HIV, once the virus is introduced into this population. In order to design and implement effective prevention efforts, the determinants of sexual risk behavior in this population must first be identified. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relative contribution to variance in sexual risk behaviors by individual and environmental factors selected on the basis of the Behavioral Ecological Model. Data were collected from a sample of deported Mexican migrants selected on the basis of a probability sampling design from August to November 2009. Analyses were conducted on 353 male participants who (1) had been in the US for at least 24 hours during the 12 months prior to the interview, and (2) reported having sex during that time in the US. Backwards step-wise multiple linear regression models were used to test the association for 20 independent variables that would account for the most variance in the high risk sexual behavior index with the most parsimonious model. The final model included eight independent variables: age, marital status, level of education, English speaking, self-reported level of HIV risk, sex while under the influence of illicit drugs in the last 12 months in the US, condom use social norms, and sex partner social norms. The model explained 14.4% of the variance in high risk sexual behavior. Findings suggest that self-reported level of HIV risk was the strongest predictor of high risk sexual behavior while in the US. Results were partially explained by the BEM, but additional research is necessary to explain a higher proportion of the variance in sexual risk behavior in order to design risk reduction interventions.
