AIDS susceptibility in a migrant population: perception and behavior

• Published in: Substance use & misuse Vol. 34; no. 4-5; p. 633
• Main Authors: McBride, D C, Weatherby, N L, Inciardi, J A, Gillespie, S A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - transmission; Adult; Agriculture - statistics & numerical data; Attitude to Health - ethnology; Crack Cocaine; Disease Susceptibility - psychology; Ethnic Groups - psychology; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Behavior - ethnology; Humans; Male; Motivation; Risk Assessment; Risk-Taking; Rural Health; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Socioeconomic Factors; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Transients and Migrants - psychology; Transients and Migrants - statistics & numerical data; United States - epidemiology; United States
• ISSN: 1082-6084
• DOI: 10.3109/10826089909037235

Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, this paper examines correlates of perception of AIDS susceptibility among 846 drug-using migrant farm workers and their sex partners. Significant but relatively small differences by ethnicity and gender were found. The data showed a consistent significant statistical relationship between frequency of drug use, high-risk sexual behavior, and perception of AIDS susceptibility. Perception of AIDS susceptibility was significantly related to a subsequent reduction in sexual risk behaviors. Consistent with the Health Belief Model, the data suggest that increasing perception of AIDS susceptibility may be an important motivator in reducing high-risk behaviors.