ABSTRACT
AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were assessed in female Mexican migrant laborers. Thirty-two women were administered a modified version of the Hispanic Condom Questionnaire. Respondents were knowledgeable about the major modes of HIV transmission, but one-third to one-half of the women believed that they could contract AIDS from unlikely casual sources. Although respondents reported few negative beliefs about condom use, actual condom use with sex partners was low and knowledge of proper condom use was problematic. Consequently, 75 percent reported never carrying condoms. Implications of these findings for future research and provision of services for female Mexican migrants are discussed.
PIP: According to US Department of Health and Human Services data for 1990, there are approximately 4.1 million migrant workers in the US, mainly of Mexican background. Half of all Mexican immigrants over the past 2 decades have been women. Findings are presented from a December 1992 assessment of AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among a sample of female Mexican migrant laborers in Jalisco, Mexico, a small agricultural sending community 210 km from Guadalajara. The 32 women administered a modified version of the Hispanic Condom Questionnaire were of mean age 34.2 years and had lived and worked in the US since 1982. Women currently living in the US were visiting Jalisco for the Christmas holiday. Although the surveyed women were knowledgeable about the major modes of HIV transmission, 33-50% believed that they could contract AIDS from unlikely casual sources. Respondents reported few negative beliefs about condom use, but actual condom use with sex partners was low and knowledge of proper condom use was inadequate. 42% reported ever using a condom and 75% reported almost never carrying condoms. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to future research and the provision of services to female Mexican migrants.
