The sexual behavior of married Mexican immigrant men in North Carolina

In the southern United States, North Carolina has attracted an unprecedente d influx of Hispanic immigrants in the 1990s. Detailed data on the sexual b ehavior of these recent immigrants are lacking. This exploratory study used two methods, a survey and qualitative interviews. For both methods, partic ipants were recruited using convenience sampling. All study participants we re first-generation Mexican immigrants who had lived in North Carolina for at least six consecutive months. The survey, administered face-to-face, exp lored the sexual attitudes and behavior of 43 married Mexican men living in North Carolina. The qualitative interviews, conducted with men (n = 20) an d women (n = 19), explored immigrants' perceptions of extramarital sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The study's results suggest that the sexual behavior of 'unaccompanied' married Mexican immigrant men, living al one in North Carolina, differs, at least in degree if not in kind, from tha t of 'accompanied' married men, residing in the state with their wives. Una ccompanied men who participated in the survey reported more lifetime sexual partners, more partners in the previous year, more extramarital partners a nd more contact with prostitutes than accompanied survey respondents. The q ualitative interviews suggest that unaccompanied men's peculiar status as ' single' men in North Carolina may provide them with both motive and opportu nity to have extramarital sexual relationships and that few married Mexican men and women perceive STDs as relevant to their lives. Overall, the study supports the need for male- and couple-focused STD prevention intervention s for Hispanic immigrants. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.