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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

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01-02-2012 | Original Paper

HIV Testing Behaviors Among Undocumented Central American Immigrant Women in Houston, Texas

Authors: Jane R. Montealegre, Jan M. Risser, Beatrice J. Selwyn, Keith Sabin, Sheryl A. McCurdy

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

This paper describes HIV testing behaviors among undocumented Central American immigrant women living in Houston, Texas, USA. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit participants for an HIV behavioral survey. HIV testing items included lifetime history of testing, date and location of the most recent test, and reason for testing. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the demographic, behavioral, and structural characteristics associated with testing. The lifetime prevalence of HIV testing was 67%. Half of those who tested did so within the past 2 years and almost 80% received their most recent test in a healthcare setting. The primary reason for testing was pregnancy. Lifetime testing was associated with being from Honduras, having over a sixth grade education, having a regular healthcare provider, and having knowledge of available healthcare resources. Our results suggest that expanding access to healthcare services may increase the prevalence of HIV testing in this population.

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Title: HIV Testing Behaviors Among Undocumented Central American Immigrant Women in Houston, Texas
Authors: Jane R. Montealegre
Jan M. Risser
Beatrice J. Selwyn
Keith Sabin
Sheryl A. McCurdy
Publication date: 01-02-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9534-x

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HIV Testing Behaviors Among Undocumented Central American Immigrant Women in Houston, Texas

Abstract

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