HIV Risk Factors,Condom Use,and HIV Antibody Testing among Heterosexual Hispanics: The National AIDS Behavioral Surveys (NABS)

Abstract

The rate of HIV infection and AIDS cases among heterosexual Hispanics is increasing. Data from a national probability survey of HIV-related risk factors among 4,390 heterosexual Hispanics in the 1990-1991 National AIDS Behavioral Surveys reveal that 164% of respondents reported an HIV risk factor; of these, 35.3% had been tested for HIVl Multiple sex partners and risky main sexual partner were the major risk factors. Men and middle-income Hispanics reported a higher prevalence of HIV testing. Half of those at highest riskfor HIV infection had neither been tested for HlV antibody nor had used condoms to protect themselves. The results suggest that HIV infection poses a great threat, particularly among certain heterosexual Hispanic subgroups where condom use and HIV testing is relatively low, illustrating the extreme need for developing new HIV prevention strategies among specific Hispanic risk groups.

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