AIDS - RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG RURAL MEXICAN WOMEN MARRIED TO MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE UNITED-STATES

International migration between Mexico and the United States has been acknowledged as a phenomenon that may contribute to the spread of AIDS in rural Mexico. The purpose of this study is to identify the informa tion held by the participants regarding AIDS and to describe selected high-risk behaviors for AIDS transmission among a representative sampl e of rural women living in Mexico who are married to immigrant tempora ry workers to the United States. The women who participated in the stu dy were married, of reproductive age, and had active sex lives with th eir spouses. Results revealed that most of the women interviewed had a t least some knowledge about AIDS. Although some misconceptions were e vident, most of the information they had was accurate. About one-third of the women felt at risk for AIDS, mostly because they doubted their husbands' fidelity, or because in the last five years they had donate d blood, received a blood transfusion, or received an intramuscular or intravenous injection. The results of the study are discussed within the sociocultural context that surrounds the lives of the women interv iewed.