Ramirez Ortiz, D., Rojas, P., Cano Jr, M. A., Sanchez, M., & De La Rosa, M. R. (2018, July).  Associations of Self-Silencing and Egalitarian Attitudes with HIV Prevention Behaviors Among Latina Immigrant Farmworkers.  Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi: 10.1007/s10903-018-0773-y.  

In the United States (US), Latinas are disproportionately affected by HIV — having an HIV diagnosis rate more than three times that of their White counterparts. Among Latinas, the most common mode of transmission is sexual contact with a male partner. Condom negotiation may be affected by traditional Latino cultural factors, which can place Latinas in a submissive role, whereby the woman silences and suppresses her feelings, thoughts, and actions to secure and maintain intimate relationships.  At particularly higher risk for HIV are Latinas in farmworker communities due to a range of factors, including inadequate HIV knowledge, drug and alcohol abuse, and social isolation. However, little is known about the factors influencing HIV prevention behaviors in this population. Thus, in a sample of Latina immigrant farmworkers (n = 232) from Miami-Dade County, Florida, this study examined the associations of participants’ self-silencing behaviors and egalitarian attitudes toward women in relation to three HIV prevention behaviors: self-efficacy for HIV prevention, intentions to negotiate safe sex, and HIV-related knowledge. Among participants with self-silencing behaviors, we found a negative association with the three HIV preventive behaviors. In contrast, among Latina participants with egalitarian attitudes, we found a positive association with the three HIV preventative behaviors. Findings from this study provide direction for future research and may help to advance the understanding of sociocultural determinants of HIV prevention behaviors among Latina immigrants.