A Comparison of Sexual Health and Sexual Behaviors by Sexual Orientation among Hispanic Men Residing along the US-Mexico Border

Abstract

Background/significance: High rates of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) related to high-risk sexual behaviors are a public health problem in the United States. Hispanics have the second highest rates of HIV infection among racial/ethnic minorities. Previous research with Hispanic men has identified a number of factors that influence sexual risk and render Hispanic men at risk for HIV/STIs that vary by sexual orientation. Despite these differences in sexual risk by sexual orientation, no study to date has compared the sexual behaviors of Hispanic men by sexual orientation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the sexual behaviors of a sample of Hispanic men residing along the US-Mexico border by sexual orientation. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 103 Hispanic men in a US-Mexico border community. The sample included fifty heterosexual men and fifty-three men who have sex with men (MSM). Participants completed two measures of sexual health/sexual behaviors and a demographic questionnaire. Results: Among this sample of Hispanic men, fewer heterosexual men were tested for HIV infection compared to MSM, more MSM reported HIV infection, MSM had higher rates of certain STIs, and MSM reported more sexual partners. MSM were more likely to experience sexual violence. Heterosexual Hispanic men reported lower rates of condom usage when compared to Hispanic MSM. Implications: Hispanic men as a population may engage in high-risk sexual behaviors that place them at risk for HIV/STIs. More research focused on Hispanic men residing along the US-Mexico border can provide the foundation for intervention studies to help this population of men decrease their risk for HIV/STIs.