SEXUAL PRACTICES, ATTITUDES, AND KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO HIV TRANSMISSION IN LOW-INCOME LOS-ANGELES HISPANIC WOMEN

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.