Partner Communication for HIV Prevention Among Refugee Hispanic Women in South Florida

Purpose: The number of refugees increased in recent years due to factors worldwide, including violence, wars, political strife, and natural disasters. Refugees who are Hispanic women (RHW) in South Florida are a vulnerable population at risk of acquiring HIV infection. Although studies have shown a relationship between partner communication for HIV prevention and behavior changes, none have studied RHW. The purpose of this study was to assess whether predictors suggested by the literature (age, years living in the US, having insurance, self-esteem, number of partners, having a stable relationship with a male partner) are related to partner communication for HIV prevention among RHW in Florida.

Methods:  The study is a secondary analysis that uses baseline data from a randomized controlled experimental study, SEPA. A total of 99 refugees Hispanic women from South Florida, 18-50 years of age, participated in the study. Adapted from Catania, a 10 item scale was used to elicit information about the women’s main or primary partner. Items assessed were conversations with male partners about condoms and HIV/AIDS, health, negotiating efforts, and HIV/AIDS concerns during the past 3 months. The scale has an internal consistency of a =.82.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 33.79 (SD = 8.93), with a mean number of years of education of 15.12 (SD = 3.59). The majority of the participants (69 %) reported living with their partners, and the average of lifetime sexual partners was M = 4.21 (SD = 5.51). The mean score for communication with partner about HIV 3.31 (SD = 3.25, range 0–10). The largest group of women (32 %) reported no communication with their partners about HIV, more than half of the participants scored 2 points or higher on this scale, and only 25 % scored at 6 or above (on a 10-point scale). We used logistic regression analysis in SPSS 21 with communication with the partner about HIV as the outcome. As predictors we included age, years living in the US, having insurance, self-esteem, number of partners, having a stable relationship with a male partner. Having more than one partner was positively related to partner communication B = 1.523, SE =.684, p =.026, OR 4.585 and having a formal relationship with a male partner was negative related to partner communication. B = -1.262, SE = 0443, p =.004, OR.283

Conclusion:

This study contributed to the expansion of knowledge about Hispanic refugee women in the U.S. The perspectives of women who have undergone the refugee experience can provide valuable insight regarding the role of partner communication for HIV prevention among a unique segment of the Hispanic immigrant population. It is also noteworthy that women in this study had very low communication with partners about HIV. It should be considered that the cultural context in which Hispanic women live may underscore the importance of promoting communication strategies for HIV prevention. Culturally competent sexual health education interventions in this population may impact self-efficacy for HIV prevention.