Jh. Flaskerud et al., SEXUAL PRACTICES, ATTITUDES, AND KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO HIV TRANSMISSION IN LOW-INCOME LOS-ANGELES HISPANIC WOMEN, The Journal of sex research, 33(4), 1996, pp. 343-353
The sexual practices, attitudes, and knowledge related to HIV transmis
sion were investigated in low income Hispanic women in Los Angeles. Da
ta were collected by both quantitative and qualitative methods from tw
o independent samples, one of survey respondents (N = 508) and the oth
er of focus group participants (N = 55). Participants were low income
Hispanic women in Los Angeles who were receiving a Public Health Found
ation nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Recipie
nts of WIC were invited to participate in an HIV-testing and counselin
g program. Participation was voluntary, and participants were paid. Re
spondents reported on sexual practices, preferences, and satisfaction;
condom use; male partners' sexual activity; attitudes toward homosexu
ality; and knowledge of sexual transmission of HIV. They made recommen
dations for sexual prevention programs for Hispanics. The participants
reported infrequent sexual activity, a preference for conventional an
d traditional sexual practices, and dissatisfaction with their sexual
relationships. Male primary partners were reported to have other sexua
l partners, both male and female. Homosexuality was viewed negatively,
and disclosure was not supported. Condom use improved with education
but was related to avoiding pregnancy rather than HIV transmission. Kn
owledge of sexual transmission of HIV also improved with education; ho
wever, the HIV counseling program was thought to have conceptual probl
ems. Respondents made recommendations for sexual prevention programs f
or various Hispanic populations based on age and gender.