Male Mexican Migrant Workers Have Increased Risk for HIV After Arrival in U.S. Because of Changes in Sex Habits, Study Finds

Mexican migrant workers significantly change their sex habits and increase their risk for HIV after they arrive in the U.S., according to a study conducted by the Pilot Program of California-Mexico Epidemiology Vigilance and released on Tuesday at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, AFP/Google.com reports. The study involved 458 male Mexican migrant workers ages 18 to 69 who arrived in the U.S. during the past five years. Researchers conducted the study in California, where about 40% of Mexican immigrants live, in conjunction with state and Mexican authorities and social groups.

According to the study, the percentage of male Mexican migrant workers who had sexual relations with commercial sex workers increased from 18.1% to 29.4% after they arrived in the U.S. The study also found that the percentage of male Mexican migrant workers who had sexual relations under the influence of alcohol increased from 24.6% to 41.3% after they arrived in the U.S. However, the study found that 81.4% of male Mexican migrant workers regularly used condoms before they arrived in the U.S., compared with 65.1% after they arrived.

Melissa Sanchez, who presented the study, said that male Mexican migrant workers ages 18 to 29 are at the highest risk for HIV as a result of their sexual practices (AFP/Google.com, 8/5).

Kaisernetwork.org is the official webcaster of the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. Click here to sign up for your Daily Update e-mail during the conference. A webcast of a conference session on Latin America is available online.

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