Hispanic females are disproportionately affected by substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and HIV. Despite these disparities, research describing the cultural and gender-specific experiences of Hispanic women with regard to these conditions is lacking. The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences that Hispanic community-dwelling women have with regard to substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors. Eight focus groups with 81 women were conducted. A bilingual, bicultural moderator asked women open-ended questions regarding the experiences that Hispanic women have with these conditions. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, verified, and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participants discussed substance abuse, violence, and risky sexual behaviors interchangeably, often identifying common risk factors associated with these. Nevertheless, intimate partner violence was the most salient of conditions discussed. Three major themes emerged from the analysis: Transplantadas en otro mundo (Uprooted in another world), El criador de abuso (The breeding ground of abuse), and Rompiendo el silencio (Breaking the silence). This study supports the importance of addressing substance abuse, violence, and risk for HIV in an integrated manner and stresses the importance of addressing associated cultural factors (e.g., acculturation, machismo) in interventions targeting Hispanics.

Hispanic women in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. Substance abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV) are conditions that have been associated with risk for HIV in the general population. However, few studies have explored the intersection of these three conditions within one integrated framework. The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe the relationships between HIV risks, substance abuse, and IPV among Hispanic community-dwelling women. A total of 82 structured interviews were conducted with Hispanic women between the ages of 18 and 60. Data regarding the participant's and her partner's histories of sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and IPV were collected. Relationships between the participant's history of sexually transmitted infections, her partner's substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and IPV were explored. Results from this study support the importance of targeting HIV, substance abuse, and IPV prevention among Hispanics within one integrated framework.

This study investigated the relationships among resource availability, IPV, and depression among Hispanic community-dwelling women. The Vulnerable Population's Conceptual Framework (Flaskerud & Winslow, 1998) was used to conceptualize and test relationships among these variables. Cross-sectional questionnaires assessed resource availability (i.e., income, education, employment, insurance status, and self-esteem), depressive symptoms (CES-D), and intimate partner violence (IPV) by a current/recent partner. Linear and logistic regressions were conducted to explore relationship among variables. Although most of the relationships among resource availability, IPV, and depression supported the conceptual framework, the importance of incorporating additional cultural, relationship, and social factors are stressed.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that maternal food fortification with omega-3 fatty acids and multiple micronutrients increases birth weight and gestation duration, as primary outcomes. Design: Non-blinded, randomised controlled study. Setting: Pregnant women received powdered milk during their health check-ups at 19 antenatal clinics and delivered at two maternity hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Subject: Pregnant women were assigned to receive regular powdered milk (n 5 477) or a milk product fortified with multiple micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids (n 5 495). Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that mean birth weight was higher in the intervention group than in controls (65.4 g difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5-126 g; P 5 0.03) and the incidence of very preterm birth (,34 weeks) was lower (0.4% vs. 2.1%; P 5 0.03). On-treatment analysis showed a mean birth weight difference of 118 g (95% CI 47-190 g; P 5 0.001) and a relative fall in both the proportion of birth weight #3000 g (P 5 0.015) and the incidence of preeclampsia (P 5 0.015). Compliance with the experimental product was apparent from a haematological study of red-blood-cell folate at the end of pregnancy, which was performed in a sub-sample. In both types of analyses, positive differences were also present for mean gestation duration, birth length and head circumference. Nevertheless, the relatively small sample sizes allowed a statistical power of .0.80 just for mean birth weight and birth length in the on-treatment analysis; birth length in that analysis had a difference of 0.57 cm (95% CI 0.19-0.96 cm; P 5 0.003). Conclusions:The new intervention resulted in increased mean birth weight. Associations with gestation duration and most secondary outcomes need a larger sample size for confirmation.

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