HIV RISK-FACTORS, CONDOM USE, AND HIV ANTIBODY TESTING AMONG HETEROSEXUAL HISPANICS - THE NATIONAL AIDS BEHAVIORAL SURVEYS (NABS)

The rate of HN infection and AIDS cases among heterosexual Hispanics i s increasing. Data from a national probability survey of HN-related ri sk factors among 4,390 heterosexual Hispanics in the 1990-1991 Nationa l AIDS Behavioral Surveys reveal that 16.4% of respondents reported an HN risk factor; of these, 35.3% had been tested for HIV. Multiple sex partners and risky main sexual partner were the major risk factors. M en and middle-income Hispanics reported a higher prevalence of HN test ing. Half of those at highest risk for HN infection had neither been t ested for HN antibody nor had used condoms to protect themselves. The results suggest that HN infection poses a great threat particularly am ong certain heterosexual Hispanic subgroups where condom use and HN re sting is relatively low, illustrating the extreme need for developing new HN prevention strategies among specific Hispanic risk groups.