CONSIDERATIONS FOR PREVENTION OF HIV INFECTION AMONG HISPANIC WOMEN

Data on the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with AIDS show that Hispanic women, men, and children are overrepresented. In order to effectively reduce the risk of HIV infection in Hispanic communities, prevention programs must take into account characteristics of Hispanic populations that differentiate them from the general population and that reflect the social and economic contexts that shape the realities of Hispanic women's lives.
This article presents an analysis of the AIDS epidemic, taking into consideration the major factors that will need to be addressed in designing programs to prevent HIV infection in Hispanic communities. First, characteristics of the AIDS epidemic among Hispanics are discussed. Second, demographic and psychological characteristics of Hispanic women and their relevance to AIDS prevention efforts are presented. Third, recommendations for research and prevention programs are made. While the specific topic of concern here is AIDS risk reduction, the approach illustrates the types of questions and factors that need to be considered in developing prevention approaches for any health problem in any ethnic and racial minority communities.