Ertl, M. M., Dillon, F. R., Cabrera Tineo, Y. A., Verile, M., Jurkowski, J. M., De La Rosa, M.

Among young adult women in the United States (US), recently immigrated Latinas are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (e.g., HIV). For Latinas, HIV infection rates are over 4 times higher than non-Latina White women and most Latino immigrants living with HIV become infected in the US. This marginalized group is at risk of HIV because of lack of sufficient education. Yet, little is known about the social and cultural factors contributing to sexual health disparities among young adult, recent immigrant Latinas. Thus, investigating a sample of 530 Latina women (ages 18–23) who immigrated to Miami-Dade County, Florida, this study sought to identify social and cultural factors contributing to sexual risk behaviors, approximately 12 months prior to assessment. More than 85% of sexually active participants in the study reported inconsistent use of condoms. At the cultural level, participants who reported more sexual risk behaviors (a) were less acculturated; (b) use less positive religious coping; (c) endorse to a greater extent the marianismo belief that Latinas should be the pillar of the family; and (d) endorse less of the marianismo belief that Latinas should be virtuous and chaste. At the individual level, participants who reported more sexual risk behaviors also indicated being older age, being married/partnered, being employed, living in the US longer, and drinking more alcohol. Findings from the study indicate a need for preventive health interventions to prevent HIV infection and other STIs in this population.