Background. The proportion of HIV cases in Mexico occuring in rural migrant-sending communities is small but has been increasing rapidly. Most of these cases are believed to be men who become infected while working in the U.S. as temporary labor migrants. These men's wives, many of whom remain in Mexico during their husband's annual U.S. trips, are at increasing risk for HIV infection via heterosexual marital transmission. Methods: The data presented are from an ethnographic study of gender, sexuality and reproductive health in a migrant community in Mexico and among Mexican migrants in Atlanta, Georgia. The primary method was life histories, complemented by 15 months of participant observation. A purposive sample was constructed of 13 pairs of women (migrant women in Atlanta, and their sisters or sisters in law in Mexico), and 6 life history interviews were conducted with each key informant. Eight of the women's mothers and nine of their husbands were interviewed as well. Findings: Women in the migrant communities studied are aware that men's sexual behavior may expose them to HIV and other STDs, but they do not admit to feeling personally at risk. In this migrant community, generation, resource level, and gender shape people's understandings of the meaning of infidelity. Conclusion: We argue for the importance of working with men to interrupt the chain of heterosexual marital transmission of HIV transmission, and we suggest that in the Mexican case prevention messages could be developed based upon the locally meaningful concept of respect (respeto).
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify the major patterns of HIV/AIDS transmission in rural Mexico and migrant Mexican communities in the United States. 2. Assess how married women in both Mexico and U.S. Mexican migrant communities are at risk for HIV and STD transmission and yet feel immune to these diseases. 3. Recognize the importance of working with men in developing locally meaningful and successful HIV and STD prevention programs, both in Mexican communities and beyond.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Migrant Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.