Search

Abstract: The return of a migrant partner can negatively impact the sexual health of women who stayed in their communities. Understanding their sexual health needs is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems. Our study used a critical ethnographic approach in Agua Dulce, a rural community in Mexico, involving 50 key informants: women who stayed behind ( n = 20), returnees ( n = 12), community leaders ( n = 12), and health care professionals ( n = 6). We used participant observation, policy analysis, and interviews, using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. A gender-based thematic analysis revealed economic hardships and early separations affect the sexual well-being of women who stay behind. Infidelity, discovered through social media or calls, causes emotional distress and family disruptions. Male migrants spend an average of 8.85 years abroad, leading to fears of risky sexual behaviors. Our study highlights the urgent need for specialized support centers and comprehensive health interventions., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.)

The goal of this research was to determine the personal, interpersonal, and sociocultural predictors of condom use among rural Indigenous adolescents. Predictor variables were selected from Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Leininger's Transcultural Theory. The sample consisted of 419 Nahuas adolescents randomly selected from the total number of neighborhood blocks in a rural community in Puebla, Mexico. The instruments had acceptable psychometric characteristics (Cronbach alpha and validity scores). Multiple linear regression models were used. Results: 56.8% of participants were female, and 50.40% were students. Mean age was M = 17.5 (SD = 0.97), and the majority (63%) identified as Catholic. Age at menarche/first ejaculation (β = -1.2, p = 0.038), attitude toward condom use (β = 0.13, p < 0.001), ethnic identity (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), and ability to negotiate condom use (β = 0.13, p = 0.003) predicted (R 2 = 22.3) condom use. This study provided a basis for integration of the cultural values of Indigenous adolescents within interventions for sexual health promotion.

Physical activity performed with music activates important brain areas associated with cognition, emotions, and motor skills. Limited information is available on the feasibility and acceptability of physical activity and music interventions. The current study aimed to (a) determine the feasibility of a physical training intervention with music in older women, and (b) describe the differences between pretest and posttest variables (i.e., cognitive state, immediate memory, executive function, gait parameters [cadence and gait speed], muscle strength, flexibility, and symptoms of depression). Results suggest that the intervention with physical training and music was feasible, given the high acceptability and retention rates, high level of attendance at the sessions, and absence of adverse events. Significant improvements were observed in immediate memory ( p ≤ 0.01), executive function ( p ≤ 0.05), cadence ( p ≤ 0.01), leg strength ( p ≤ 0.01), right arm strength ( p ≤ 0.01), left arm strength ( p ≤ 0.05), symptoms of depression ( p ≤ 0.01), and left lower body flexibility ( p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, a randomized clinical trial with a larger sample could confirm the effects of this intervention on memory, executive function, cadence, leg strength, arm strength, symptoms of depression, and left lower body flexibility. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48 (11), 37-43.].

Introduction: In 2019, 9,828 new cases of HIV and 5,825 of AIDS were detected in Mexico, the migrant population is considered highly vulnerable, which is presumed to be due to unfavorable conditions in their transit through the country, an important variable in the context of sexual health is the perception that they may have about being or not at risk. A study of perception of contracting HIV can have important implications for health., Objective: To determine the association between the perception of risk for HIV and safe sex in migrants from the northern border of Mexico., Methods: The design was predictive correlational and cross-sectional, sample of 302 migrants from two border cities of Tamaulipas, systematic random probability sampling., Results: It was found that about 90% were men with a mean age of (M = 33,25, SD = 9,62) years, in general, migrants have a low perception of risk for HIV and this was correlated with safe sex (r s = -,134, p =,020), furthermore, a regression analysis showed that the perception of risk for HIV has a predictive effect on safe sex (β = -, 143, F = 6,27 [gl = 1,300] , p = 0,013), CONCLUSION: Migrants are a group that requires interest in the field of research related to sexuality, despite being a vulnerable group and identified as at risk, their perception of acquiring HIV is low, this variable should be considered of importance in future research in the sexual field of migrants, because it can be used in conjunction with others as a model or as a mediator., (Copyright © 2022 Asociación Española de Andrología, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In Mexico, young people continue to experience problems due to a lack of correct and consistent condom use during sexual intercourse., Objective: to evaluate the effect of a randomized controlled clinical trial with the use of smartphones to increase safe sex intentions and safe sexual behavior., Methods: experimental design with two treatment groups with 177 young people who requested the rapid HIV test in a non-governmental organization in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. The experimental group was given Respect M-Health with the use of mobile devices; the control group was given similar counseling without the use of mobile technology and 8 pencil and paper instruments were used., Results: the effect of the experimental group was greater in safe sexual behavior reflected in the means at pre-test M=64.80 (SD=1.86), post-test M=85.33 (SD=1.54), and at 30 days M=87.40 (SD=1.52), and in the safe sex intentions factor at pre-test M=78.50 (SD=3.07), post-test M=94.70 (SD=2.46), and at 30 days M=95.74 (SD=2.29)., Conclusions: Smartphone use was an effective tool as a support to increase safe sexual behavior in youth., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: The authors have declared that there is no conflict of interest.

A scoping literature review to identify the multilevel HIV serosorting related elements was developed. Articles from EBSCO, PubMed, PsyNET and Science Direct with serosort* or serosorting at the tittle or abstract, written in English or Spanish were included. No restriction in type of population or design were applied. 239 records were retrieved after duplicates removed, but 181 references were extracted for full-text review. Individual level: HIV knowledge, serostatus, risk perceptions, abilities to disclose and for condom use negotiation, motivations, use of drugs, stigma, attitudes toward condom use, and perceptions/beliefs about the HIV and related treatments, HIV infection rates/testing and behavioral factors. Interpersonal level: social networks, abilities (sexual behavior negotiation, and communication). Community level: stigma, social norms, access to HIV related services. Structural level: political context, HIV related funding and public policies. HIV Serosorting is not solely an interpersonal behavior it involves multilevel elements that must be acknowledged by professionals and stakeholders.

Background: The parental role is key for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) in adolescents; however, there are factors that can facilitate or inhibit its performance. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the role of parents for prevention of HPV in their adolescent children., Method: A descriptive correlational study design included a convenience sample of 582 Mexican parents, whose son or daughter, 13 to 15 years of age, was in either the second or third year of high school. Data analyses included multiple linear regression., Results: Factors related to the role of parents included knowledge about HPV ( r s = 0.180, p < .01), perceived risk to contract HPV ( r s = 0.148, p < .01), self-efficacy for sexual communication with adolescents ( r s = 0.507, p < .01), and attitude toward prevention of HPV ( r s = 0.272, p < .01). Self-efficacy for sexual communication with adolescents and attitude toward prevention of HPV positively influenced the parental role, explaining 28.8% of the variance, F (4, 577) = 59.80, p < .001., Conclusions: Parents with positive attitudes regarding prevention of HPV and who perceive self-efficacy in communicating sexuality issues with their adolescent children, develop a preventative role.

Introduction: Sexual material online has represented, from its origins, an important role in the life of men who have sex with men. Internet, which has become a vehicle without restriction for its access, has favored an increase in the use of this material, and has had an impact on the sexual behavior of these men., Objective: To determine if the use of online sexual material influences safe sexual behavior in men who have sex with men., Material and Method: An analytical observational study was conducted, with a sample of 251 men who have sex with men from a city in northeastern Mexico. The respondent driven sampling was used, an ad hoc sociodemographic and sexuality data questionnaire was applied, and a questionnaire to measure the use of online sexual material and questionnaire on safe sexual behavior., Results: The simple linear regression model shows that the use of online sexual material negatively influences safe sexual behavior (R 2 =0.062; F [1,249] =16.937; p<0.01)., Conclusions: The findings provide the guideline to continue with studies in the investigation of said sociocultural variable and its consideration is proposed in the programs focused on the prevention of HIV in this population., (Copyright © 2018 Asociación Española de Andrología, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Sexual self-esteem has generated results that make clear their impact on sexual health, which is forged by interactions with other people. For this reason, the goal of this study is to evaluate if the variables time spent with the partner, number of sexual partners, support of the couple, sexual assertiveness and partner violence predict sexual self-esteem in women in Northeast Mexico., Material and Method: Predictive and correlational study. The sample consisted of 605 women users of primary health care centers. As inclusion criteria, it was considered that participants were between 18 and 40 years of age (M=27.68; TD=6.52), who maintained a relationship of at least three months and with sexual activity within that relationship., Results: Couple support, partner violence and sexual assertiveness behaved as predictive factors, accounting for 32% of sexual self-esteem in women (F=52.410, p<0.001)., Conclusions: Interpersonal factors are key elements in the understanding and evaluation of sexual self-esteem in women. These findings will support the improvement of the sexual health of this population, who are a vulnerable group to sexual problems in Mexico., (Copyright © 2018 Asociación Española de Andrología, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The perceived risk to HIV and the decisional balance (pros and cons) towards HIV testing are fundamental aspects for understanding the motivation of men who have sex with men to engage in behaviours that reduce or increase the risk of infection with the virus., Objectives: To describe the perceived risk of HIV and the decisional balance towards HIV testing and determine the association between perceived risk and the decisional balance towards HIV testing of men who have sex with men., Method: Descriptive correlational design, we used respondent-driven sampling, with which we recruited 202 men who have sex with men., Results: Mean age of 27.79 (SD=8.13), 66.3% reported low perceived risk to HIV. The most significant pros were: "If I had HIV I would not want to infect anyone else" (95%) and "I would like to be sure I did not have HIV to tell my sexual partner" (90.6%). The most significant cons were: "I am afraid of the needle used for the HIV test" (53%), "people could reject me if they had HIV" (78.7%). Finally, there was a correlation between the perceived risk and the decisional balance towards HIV testing (r s =.759, p<.001)., Conclusions: Given such data, in future interventions it is important to consider information about the importance of HIV testing on a regular basis, as well as actions to increase the perception of vulnerability to HIV in this population., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

En México, la población indígena supera los siete millones de habitantes, en Puebla el grupo más representativo es el Náhuatl. Sin embargo, las condiciones de vida, salud, educación y transporte son precarias para esta población. En los adolescentes, las responsabilidades como el matrimonio, la familia y los compromisos ante la comunidad, favorecen conductas de riesgo sexual que dificultan su desarrollo económico, social y reproductivo. El objetivo fue proponer un modelo explicativo del uso del condón en adolescentes nahuas. Método. Bajo el marco de la teoría social cognitiva, el concepto de valores culturales de Leininger y el proceso de la sustracción teórica, se desarrolló este artículo. Se muestran las relaciones del modelo con las proposiciones y los factores que influyen en el uso del condón para este grupo específico. Finalmente, el modelo explica las variables de interés, los niveles de abstracción y las relaciones entre sí en el contexto náhuatl. El siguiente paso será implementar los indicadores empíricos para conocer el grado de influencia de los factores personales y ambientales hacia el uso del condón en adolescentes nahuas. Resultados que aportarán información para el desarrollo del conocimiento en enfermería y la reducción de riesgo sexual de esta población.

Along the Mexico/United States border, migrants are at increased risk of HIV. The objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between two process indicators (self-efficacy to prevent HIV and coping with sexual risk) and safe sexual behaviors in migrants. A correlational design was used. Migrants were recruited from two cities on the northern border of Mexico. Transition theory informed the measurement of self-efficacy and coping process indicators. Three generalized linear models were built for each safe sexual behavior outcome: (a) partner communication, (b) use of condoms, and (c) safe sex. Of 311 migrants, indicators of self-efficacy and coping with sexual risk were associated with all three outcome measures of safe sexual behavior (p < .05). Process indicators explained 22.5% to 30.6% of the variance in the data. Therefore, self-efficacy to prevent HIV and coping ability are important correlates of migrant sexual risk behavior., (Copyright © 2017 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the border region of Mexico due to the flow of migrants under desperate conditions, encouraging casual and unprotected sex. Since this has become a binational public health problem, it is important to understand the factors that predict these sexual behaviors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the facilitators and inhibitors of transition in the sexual behavior of migrants from two border regions on the Mexico-United States (US) border., Methods: This was a predictive and cross-sectional study. A sample of 256 migrants in shelters for migrants on the border between Mexico and US were selected through systematic random sampling. Predictor variables investigated for effect on the safe sexual behavior (SSB) of the migrant were reasons for having sex; sexual attitudes; sexual machismo; knowledge about HIV; access to health services; and social discrimination., Results: The sample was predominantly male (89.5%), with 46.1% reporting being single. The average age was 33.38 years (SD = 9.73) and the average number of years of education reported was 8.05 (SD = 3.37). A permissive sexual attitude and sexual machismo both correlated with condom use ( r s  = 0.130, p  < 0.01 and r s  = -0.174, p  < 0.01, respectively). Regression analysis showed that a permissive sexual attitude decreased the practice of safe sex (β = 0.17, t  = 4.16, p  < 0.001), as did sexual machismo (β = -0.28, t  = -4.83, p  < 0.001) and HIV knowledge (β = -0.11, t  = -2.62, p  = 0.006)., Discussion: It was found that access to health services did not influence the SSB of migrants, as suggested by the literature. However, a permissive sexual attitude, sexual machismo, and HIV knowledge were all variables capable of predicting SSB. It is recommended that the study is extended to study migrant populations from other parts of the border, as well undertaking as a qualitative approach to explore new variables.

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of an Internet-based intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors and increase resilience to sexual risk behaviors among Mexican adolescents, a key HIV/AIDS risk group., Methodology: The study had a quasi-experimental design with single-stage cluster sampling. Participants ages 14-17 were stratified by gender and randomly assigned to either receive intervention "Connect" (which included face-to-face and Internet-based sessions designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors and increase resilience to sexual risk) or control (a general educational video on reducing health risks). A total of 9 survey instruments were administered online through SurveyMonkey pre- and post-intervention to assess changes in sexual risk and protective factors as well as two outcomes of interest: risky sexual behaviors and resilience. Pearson correlation assessed instrument reliability while multivariable linear regression models assessed two study hypotheses: (1) the effect of the intervention on sexual behavior and resilience is mediated by adolescent age, gender, and sexual experience and (2) risk and protective factors are mediators between the intervention and sexual behavior., Results: The sample was composed of 193 adolescents between 14 and 17 years old (n = 96 in the control group and n = 97 in the experimental group). Survey instruments were reliable. Age was associated with pre-to-post test changes in sexual resilience (β = -6.10, p = .019), which partially mediated the effect of the intervention on sexual resilience (β = 5.70, p = .034). Social support was associated with pre-to-post test changes in risky sexual behavior (β = -0.17, p = .039)., Conclusion: Intervention "Connect" was independently associated with improved self-reported resilience to risky sexual behaviors, though not with a reduction in those behaviors in multivariate analyses. This is the first Internet-based intervention designed to reduce HIV/AIDS sexual risk among Mexican adolescents.

Sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus are international public health concerns. Heterosexual women who are in steady relationships have been described as a particularly vulnerable population at risk for sexually transmitted infections acquired from their male partners. In this pilot study, we describe associations identified via cross-sectional survey among demographic variables, attachment style, and condom use in Mexican heterosexual women (ages 20-44 years, n  =  50) who self-reported current steady partner relationships. Descriptive, bivariate, and correlation analyses were conducted. Secure attachment and condom use were positively correlated with education level. Limited sexual risk prevention knowledge and contraception use, low risk perception within male partner relationships and misconception about proper condom use were identified as sources of elevated risk for sexually transmitted infections via male partners. Implications of findings include sexual health intervention modification to include dialogue concerning the context of steady relationship and sexual risk among Mexican heterosexual women.

Background: Nutritional status and nutritional care have long been ignored among HIV/AIDS patients. Furthermore, in Mexico there is no information on potential factors favoring weight increase in such population., Objective: To assess the association between the time period since diagnosis, demographics and BMI in different categories of patients with HIV/AIDS in Monterrey, Mexico. In addition, to provide information on overweight/obesity prevalence and nutritional care referral., Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of HIV/AIDS positive patients receiving outpatient secondary care (n = 231). Nutritional care referral, time period since diagnosis and demographic data were obtained by interview. A standardized and registered dietitian collected anthropometrics measures. Binary multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between increasing BMI categories and variables of interest., Results: Mean patient age was 40.6 ± 11.2 years, 87% were male, 79.2% were economically active, 65% were single and 60% had less than a college education. The average time since diagnosis was 6.5 ± 5.4 years. Overweight and obesity prevalence were 35.8% and 12.5%, respectively. Only 18% of patients had ever been referred for nutritional care. The time period since diagnosis, the sum of skinfold measurements and the waist-to-hip ratio, were significantly predictive of the BMI category (normal/underweight vs. overweight/obese), when controlling for nutritional care referral and daily carbohydrate intake; age and marital status were not associated with BMI category., Conclusions: Identification of predisposing factors to overweight/obesity among HIV/AIDS patients constitutes a significant step for providing nutritional care, of the same importance as the load or CD4+ count, especially nowadays, with more common increased survival rates and consequently, longer lives with the disease.

Introduction: In United States, roughly 1/5 of all HIV infected persons remain undiagnosed. Because HIV testing is critical to improve prevention efforts, more research is needed to understand the characteristics of individuals who get tested for HIV., Methods: This secondary analysis of the 2010 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System used data from 9,744 respondents between 18-64 years of age to evaluate the relationship between demographic characteristics (gender, race/ethnicity, age, area of residence, education, marital status, employment status, and income), healthcare characteristics (insurance status, having a primary provider, and access to healthcare), and HIV risk behaviors with ever having received an HIV test., Results: Significant associations between gender, age, area of residence, marital and employment status, and HIV risk behaviors and HIV testing in a Texas population by race/ethnicity were observed., Conclusions: These findings have important implications for future research into racial/ethnic disparities between lifetime HIV testing, and can help guide practitioners who work with populations at risk for HIV/AIDS in Texas.

The objectives of this descriptive study were to establish the benefits and barriers perceived by adolescents for consuming fruit and vegetables, and to determine gender differences. A random sample of 829 adolescents attending public secondary schools in Matamoros, Tamaulipas was recruited (398 were males, and 431) with a mean age of 13.11 +/- 0.93 years. A scale of benefits and barriers for consuming fruit and vegetables was used. The most important perceived benefits for males were: "I'd take care of my health eating more fruit and vegetables" (4.24 +/- 0.99), "I like the taste of fruit" (4.21 +/- 1.06), and "eating fruit and vegetables would give me more vitamins and minerals (4.20 +/- 1.07). For females the perceived benefits were: "I like the taste of fruits" (4.48 +/- 0.81), and "I'd take care of my health eating more fruit and vegetables" (4.41 +/- 0.91). Adolescents of both genders, pointed out as barrier pesticides in fruit and vegetables (3.14 +/- 1.31 for males and 2.97+1.22 for females). Findings showed that perceived benefits and barriers have differences by gender. Females perceive higher benefits 24.25+9.15 (p = 0.001). Males perceived higher barriers 24.94 +/- 7.28 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, benefits and barriers are different by gender. Given the great cultural diversity in Mexico, these findings in students residing in this border city must be validated with similarly designed studies.