Patterns of Sexual Experience among Urban Latino & African American 9th Grade Students

This analysis assessed patterns of sexual experience, the order in which behaviors were initiated, and associated factors, among Latino and African American ninth grade students (average age 15.2) who self-administered audio-computer-assisted surveys on netbooks in classes at 10 Los Angeles–area public high schools. 

Lifetime experiences with vaginal and oral sex were most common (19% and 16%, respectively); fewer reported anal sex (6%). Of the 23% reporting any sex, 91% fell into four categories: 36% reporting both oral and vaginal sex; 23% vaginal only; 18% all three; and 13% oral only. Most sexually experienced students (88%) initiated with vaginal or oral sex (46% vaginal, 33% oral, 9% both same day). 

No dominant pathway of sexual onset emerged for those reporting all three types of sex. We found no evidence that oral or anal sex substituted for or delayed vaginal sex. Males, those with a current partner, and those reporting multiple partners were more likely than others to report all three sexual behaviors versus vaginal only (odds ratios [ORs] 2.0, 1.5, 3.0; p = .02, .06, < .01, respectively). 

Although vaginal intercourse dominated their early sexual behavior, one-fifth of sexually experienced students reported anal intercourse, highlighting the need for specific prevention messages surrounding this higher-risk behavior.

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By:  Robin A. Donatello^a*, Christine J. De Rosa^b, Bret D. Moulton^c,Emily Q. Chung^d, Rachel Viola^c, Louise Ann Rohrbach^c &Abdelmonem A. Afifi^e

^a Department of Mathematics and Statistics, California State University, Chico

^b Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs; Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of Southern California

^c Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of Southern California

^d Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs

^e Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles 

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HIV-Related Mortality among Adults (≥18 years) of Various Hispanic or Latino Subgroups-United States, 2006-2010

Hispanics or Latinos residing in the USA are disproportionately affected by HIV when compared to whites. Health outcomes for Hispanics or Latinos diagnosed with HIV infection may vary by Hispanic or Latino subgroup. 

We analyzed national mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics for the years 2006 to 2010 to examine differences in HIV-related mortality among Hispanics or Latinos by sociodemographic factors and by Hispanic or Latino subgroup. After adjusting for age, HIV-related death rates per 100,000 population were highest among Hispanics or Latinos who were male (45.6, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 44.4 to 46.9) compared to female (12.0, 95 % CI 11.4 to 12.6), or resided in the Northeast (75.1, 95 % CI 72.2 to 77.9) compared to other US regions at the time of death. 

The age-adjusted HIV-related death rate was highest among Puerto Ricans (100.9, 95 % CI 97.0 to 104.8) and lowest among Mexicans (16.9, 95 % CI 16.2 to 17.6). Among all deaths, the proportion of HIV-related deaths was more than four times as high among Puerto Ricans (adjusted prevalence ratio = 4.3, 95 % CI 4.1 to 4.5) compared to Mexicans. 

To ensure better health outcomes for Hispanics or Latinos living with HIV in the USA, medical care and treatment programs should be adapted to address the needs of various Hispanic or Latino subgroups.

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By:  Clark H1, Surendera Babu A2, Harris S3, Hardnett F4.

• 1Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, MS E47, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA. HClark@cdc.gov.
• 2ICF International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
• 3Engility, Chantilly, VA, USA.
• 4Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., NE, MS E48, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA. 
• J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2015 Mar;2(1):53-61. doi: 10.1007/s40615-014-0047-x. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

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Social Media Use and HIV-Related Risk Behaviors in Young Black and Latino Gay and Bi Men and Transgender Individuals in New York City: Implications for Online Interventions

Urban young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender women continue to experience high rates of new HIV infections in the USA, yet most of this population is not reached by current prevention interventions. The rate of Internet and social media use among youth is high. However, continually updated understanding of the associations between social media access and use and HIV risk behaviors is needed to reach and tailor technology-delivered interventions for those most vulnerable to HIV-racially and ethnically diverse urban YMSM and transgender persons. Thus, we conducted an in-person, venue-based cross-sectional survey among young gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals at locations primarily visited by Black and Latino gay and bisexual and transgender individuals in New York City to understand social media use and how it may relate to HIV risk behaviors to inform social media-based interventions. 

Among 102 primarily Black and Latino gay and bisexual men (75.5 %) and transgender women (19.6 %), over 90 % were under 30 years of age, 18.6 % reported homelessness in the past 6 months, and 10.8 % reported having HIV. All participants used social media, most accessed these platforms most often via a mobile device (67.6 %) and most logged on multiple times per day (87.3 %).

Participants used social media to seek sex partners (56.7 %), exchange sex for money or clothes (19.6 %), and exchange sex for drugs (9.8 %). These results confirm prior studies demonstrating the feasibility of using social media platforms to reach at-risk, urban youth. Of particular concern is the association between recent STI and exchanging sex for money/clothes and drugs. 

Interventions using social media for young, urban minority MSM and transgender populations should incorporate risk reduction modules addressing exchange partners and promote frequent and regular HIV/STI testing.

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By:  Patel VV1, Masyukova M2, Sutton D3, Horvath KJ4.

• 1Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. vpatel@montefiore.org.
• 2Department of Family and Social Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3544 Jerome Ave, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. marimasy@montefiore.org.
• 3Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, 02905, USA. desmond_sutton@brown.edu.
• 4Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, #300, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA. khorvath@umn.edu. 
• J Urban Health. 2016 Mar 2. 

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The Most Prejudiced Places in America

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Sex with Sex Workers among Latino Day Laborers in Suburban Maryland

Using the structural-environmental conceptual framework, this study employed mixed methods to address the question of whether sex with female sex workers contributes to HIV risk among male immigrant Latino day laborers in suburban Maryland. Because contextual factors can greatly affect HIV risk for both sex workers and their clients, this study investigated the organizational structure of sex work, factors that predicted men’s hiring of sex workers, sexual behaviors performed with sex workers, and the use of condoms. 

Qualitative research was conducted to inform the development of a quantitative survey, but also provided crucial descriptions about the motivations, locations, arrangements, and sexual activities related to sex work. Key informant interviews (N= 10), in-depth interviews with day laborers (N= 10) and Latina female sex workers (N = 4), and two focus groups with day laborers (N= 11) were conducted, and a quantitative survey administered via Audio-enhanced Computer-assisted Self-interviewing (N = 174). 

Condom use was nearly universal in encounters with female sex workers, thus indicating that the sex workers were not an important source of HIV transmission in this context. Logistic regression was performed to test a model predicting sex with sex workers. Latino day laborers who reported more immigrant stress and who did not have a partner in the U.S. were more likely to have had sex with a sex worker, as were men who reported binge drinking. Structural and social conditions influenced the hiring of sex workers. 

Further research is warranted to better understand the interrelationships among these circumstances and to inform the development of programs to address them.

Experiences of Latino day laborers with sex workers

	Percent
Ways men find sex workers (N= 174)
Sex workers give out business cards	59.2
Friends tell each other	50.6
Pimp approaches potential clients	33.3
Internet	18.4
Sex workers are in public places (e.g., street corner)	14.9
Locations where men have sex with sex workers (N= 174)
House or apartment (“delivery”)	58.1
Brothel (“casa de sitas”)	36.8
Hotel or motel	28.7
Street, car, or park	19.0
Bar, discotheque, restaurant	16.7
Reasons participants had sex with sex workers (N= 52)
Lack of companionship	65.4
Relief from sexual urges	55.8
No commitment	51.9
Only sex available	40.4
Fun and pleasure	36.5
Distraction from problems	17.3
Sexual behaviors participants performed with sex workers (N= 52)
Vaginal intercourse	76.9
Oral sex on the participant	59.6
Manual stimulation of penis	34.6
Anal intercourse	9.6
Oral sex on the woman	3.9

Note: Participants could select more than one response option

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/YzCU35

By:  Fernanda T. Bianchi, Carol A. Reisen, Felisa A. Gonzales, Juan C. Arroyo, Maria Cecilia Zea, and Paul J. Poppen

Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA

Corresponding author.

Fernanda T. Bianchi: ude.uwg@ihcnaibf

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Tu Amigo Pepe: Evaluation of a Multi-Media Marketing Campaign that Targets Young Latino Immigrant MSM with HIV Testing Messages

Latino immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for HIV and delayed diagnosis in the United States. 

This paper describes the evaluation of a pilot of the Tu Amigo Pepe, a multimedia HIV testing campaign aimed at Latino MSM in Seattle, WA particularly targeting immigrants who may not identify as gay, ages 18-30 years old. The 16-week campaign included Spanish-language radio public service announcements (PSAs), a Web site, social media outreach, a reminder system using mobile technology, print materials and a toll-free hotline. 

In developing the PSAs, the Integrated Behavioral Model was used as a framework to reframe negative attitudes, beliefs and norms towards HIV testing with positive ones as well as to promote self-efficacy towards HIV testing. 

The campaign had a significant and immediate impact on attitudes, beliefs, norms and self-efficacy towards HIV testing as well as on actual behavior, with HIV testing rates increasing over time.

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By:  Solorio R1,2,3, Norton-Shelpuk P4, Forehand M5, Montaño D6, Stern J7, Aguirre J8,9, Martinez M9.

• 1Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE., Box 359455, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. solorio@u.washington.edu.
• 2Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA. solorio@u.washington.edu.
• 3Social and Behavioral Prevention Core, University of Washington Center for AIDS Research, Seattle, WA, USA. solorio@u.washington.edu.
• 4Activate Brands, Denver, CO, USA.
• 5University of Washington Foster School of Business, Seattle, WA, USA.
• 6Battelle Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
• 7Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA.
• 8Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE., Box 359455, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
• 9Entre Hermanos, Seattle, WA, USA. 
• AIDS Behav. 2016 Feb 5. 

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Predictors of Weapon-Related Behaviors among African American, Latino, and White Youth

OBJECTIVE:

To identify risk and protective factors for weapon involvement among African American, Latino, and white adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN:

The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health is a nationally representative survey of 7th-12th grade students. Predictors at wave 1 and outcome at wave 2 were analyzed. Data were collected in the mid-1990s, when rates of violent crime had been declining. The outcome was a dichotomous measure of weapon-involvement in the past year, created using 3 items (weapon-carrying, pulled gun/knife, shot/stabbed someone). Bivariate and multilevel logistic regression analyses examined associations of individual, peer, family, and community characteristics with weapon involvement; stratified analyses were conducted with African American, Latino, and white subsamples.

RESULTS:

Emotional distress and substance use were risk factors for all groups. Violence exposure and peer delinquency were risk factors for whites and African Americans. Gun availability in the home was associated with weapon involvement for African Americans only. High educational aspirations were protective for African Americans and Latinos, but higher family connectedness was protective for Latinos only.

CONCLUSIONS:

Interventions to prevent weapon-related behaviors among African American, Latino, and white adolescents may benefit from addressing emotional distress and substance use. Risk and protective factors vary by race/ethnicity after adjusting for individual, peer, family, and community characteristics. Addressing violence exposure, minimizing the influence of delinquent peers, promoting educational aspirations, and enhancing family connectedness could guide tailoring of violence prevention interventions.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/x5vc9I

By:  Shetgiri R1, Boots DP2, Lin H3, Cheng TL4.

• 1Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California (https://www.labiomed.org/), Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA.
• 2School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX.
• 3Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
• 4Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD. 
• J Pediatr. 2016 Jan 5. pii: S0022-3476(15)01518-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.12.008.

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"Teached: The Path to Prison" - Exposing Education Gap for Black and Latino Youths

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Community Connectedness, Challenges, and Resilience among Gay Latino Immigrants

To date, relatively little psychological research has focused on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Latino/a immigrants to the United States. 

This qualitative study used face-to-face semi-structured interviews to explore the unique sources of stress, challenges, as well as opportunities and factors related to resilience among 13 gay Latino first- and second-generation immigrants. Iterative coding of interview transcripts revealed four key themes, each of which is illustrated with verbatim quotes: 1) feelings of connectedness to the LGBT community, 2) feelings of connectedness to the Latino/a community, 3) intersectional challenges and strategies, and 4) well-being, strength, and resilience. 

As suggested by these themes, gay Latino immigrants have distinct sources of stress and conflict, many of them associated with community memberships, but also draw on unique sources of support and adaptive thoughts and behaviors in facing stressors. 

Implications for studying risk and resilience factors among stigmatized populations, including LGBT individuals and immigrants, are discussed.

...As Hector, a 42-year-old second-generation gay man who adopted a more masculine gender presentation noted:

I guess because I'm not flamboyant a lot of people don't realize [I’m gay] in just general public settings. So I guess if I was more effeminate it would be more obvious and then it might've been an issue for me… because of that I also stay away from gay culture more.

Hector recalled that the only gay role models he had growing up were extremely feminine and that he never identified or saw commonality with them. Presently, he stated that he chooses to affiliate with more masculine men, and wishes to be seen by others and by mainstream society as “just a regular guy.”

Another source of disconnection involved the perceived tension between ethnic groups within the LGBT community or between an ethnic community and the “mainstream” gay community. Some participants felt that being an ethnic minority member of the LGBT community was difficult at times; they perceived the LGBT community as largely White and privileged. Perhaps reflecting this, many also felt that ethnic minorities were poorly represented within the community, including in community spaces, in discussions of activism, and in the media. Ernesto, a 49-year-old Peruvian who moved to the U.S. as an adult, described his perception of the LGBT community as narrowly focused, and as having an agenda that was mainly driven by White, gay men. Having lived in several multicultural communities throughout his lifetime, he was particularly attuned to what he felt was a one-dimensional approach to defining the priorities of the LGBT community:

I think their interests are very, like I said, self-serving. It’s about what interests them. It’s like this whole Prop 8 thing…everyone's fighting for that. That's fine, but you know minorities are fighting for other things. But, but still the White elite, they think that gay minorities should be fighting for the same thing they are fighting. But it’s like what about when they are fighting about immigration, or, you know, the Dream Act, or other stuff? We don't see them. You know, they’re, they’re just not there, you know? They're totally out of touch...

Sample demographics (n = 13).

Pseudonym	Age	Sexual Orientation	Generation (Birth Country)	Primary Language	Employment Status	Education	Income
Humberto	51	Gay	1st (Venezuela)	Spanish	Full time	Graduate	$75k-$100k
Jorge	21	Queer	1st (Mexico)	English	Student	Some College	<$20k
Ernesto	49	Gay	1st (Peru)	English	Unemployed	Bachelor's	<$20k
Jose Luis	37	Gay	1st (Mexico)	English & Spanish	Full time	Graduate	$75k-$100k
Manuel	32	Gay	1st (Mexico)	English	Full time	Bachelor's	$100k+
David	19	Gay	2nd (Mexico/Mexico)	English	Part time	High School	<$20k
Carlos	26	Gay	2nd (Mexico/Mexico)	English	Full time	Some College	$20k - $30k
Oscar	53	Gay	2nd (U.S./Mexico)	English	Unemployed	Some College	<$20k
Hector	42	Gay	2nd (U.S./Mexico)	English	Self-employed	Some College	<$20k
Gabriel	29	Gay	2nd (Mexico/Mexico)	English	Full time	Some College	$20k - $30k
Edgar	23	Gay	2nd (El Salvador/Guatemala)	English	Part time	Some College	<$20k
Raul	33	Gay	2nd (Mexico/Mexico)	English	Unemployed	Associate's	<$20k
Hugo	48	Gay	2nd (Venezuela/Italy)	English	Part time	Graduate	N/A

Note: Birth country for 2nd-generation is represented as (Mother’s Birth Country/Father’s Birth Country.)

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/KL9XCL

By:  Nicole N. Gray, David M. Mendelsohn, and Allen M. Omoto

Nicole N. Gray, Department of Psychology, Claremont Graduate University;

Contributor Information.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nicole N. Gray, Department of Psychology, Claremont Graduate University (http://www.cgu.edu/pages/1.asp), 123 E. 8^th Street, Claremont, CA 91711. Email: ude.ugc@yarg.elocin

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