In order to slow the spread of this fatal disease, it is necessary to examine some of the risk factors and possible causes. This will enable a better understanding of measures that must be taken in the Latino community to prevent the continuing spread of AIDS.
Over half of all cases of AIDS in Latinos are the result of sexual behavior. The World Health Organization (WHO), categorizes that Latino countries predominately contract AIDS through heterosexual transmission, while in the United States the predominate cause is homosexuality among men and intravenous drug use (Gomez and Van Oss Marin 1994, 3). This suggests that cultural views among the Latino community make them more susceptible to contracting the disease through heterosexual behavior.
It could be that socioeconomic factors limit Latinos from information on preventative measures; it could also be that such factors keep Latinos from becoming aware of the risk of contracting the disease. However, cultural beliefs appear to be the contributing factor in the disproportionate number of Latinos who contract the disease through heterosexual contact. In the Latino community, sexuality is a very private matter. It is not viewed as an appropriate topic of discussion. "Sexual issues often are not discussed even between sexual partners. In traditional Latino culture, the good woman is not supposed to know about sex, so it is inappropriate for her to bring up subjects like HIV disease and condoms" (Gomez and Van Oss Marin 1984, 3). This extreme privacy can result in dangerous communication barriers. For example woman fear the perception men will have of them, if they suggest wearing a condom. However, if there is no request made by the woman to wear a condom, the man is likely to assume that there is no need to wear one (Gomez and Van Oss Marin 1994, 3). Another Latino cultural belief that puts them at higher risk, is that "Latino men believe they should be highly sexual beings" (Gomez and Van Oss Marin 1994, 3). Latino males believe that it would be unhealthy for them to abstain from sex (Gomez and Van Oss Marin 1994, 3).
Many of the factors that put the Latino population at an increased risk for AIDS, appear to be traditional beliefs that inhibit open communication. Many subjects are embarrassing or inappropriate. Latinos often feel they have to keep up a certain image to insure interest from the opposite sex. In order to combat this, health care providers must be sensitive to these social factors, and find ways to transmit the message, without forcing Latinos into embarrassing situations. For example health care providers can insert information on the importance of open communication on sexual issues into information packets.
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This web page was developed by Shannon Kelly to fulfill a requirement of the class CHI 21: Health Issues in the Chicano/Latino Community taught by Seline Szkupinski Quiroga in the Chicana & Chicano Studies Program at the University of California at Davis, Fall 1998. |