Alcohol misuse, depressive symptoms, and HIV/STI risks of US Hispanic women

Abstract

Objectives Alcohol misuse and depressive symptoms have been linked to HIV/STI risk, but studies have rarely included Hispanic women, who have over four times greater HIV incidence than white, non-Hispanic women. Understanding the connections among alcohol misuse, depressive symptoms, and HIV/STI risks may suggest ways to meet specific needs of Hispanic women. This study’s objective is to examine the relationships among alcohol misuse, depressive symptoms, and seven HIV/STI risk factors. Design Five hundred forty-eight US Hispanic women with intake data from a randomized trial were assessed for alcohol misuse (CAGE) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). GZLM and path analyses tested relationships between alcohol misuse or depressive symptoms and HIV/STI risk factors. Results Self-efficacy and condom use were not related to alcohol misuse or depressive symptoms, but only 15% of women reported consistent condom use. After controlling for demographics, women with alcohol misuse had significantly more perceived HIV/STI risk (OR = 2.15) and better HIV/STI knowledge (β = −.54); and women with depressive symptoms had significantly more perceived HIV/STI risk (OR = 1.76) and worse HIV/STI knowledge (β = .37). Conclusions Interventions to increase condom use for Hispanic women are needed, regardless of mental disorders. Working with Hispanic women with alcohol misuse or depressive symptoms presents a need (and opportunity) to address issues directly related to HIV/STI risk. Women’s health practitioners have an excellent opportunity to reach women by implementing regular screening programs in clinics that serve Hispanic women. For women with high depressive symptoms, poor HIV/STI knowledge should also be addressed. Future studies should test whether integrated and tailored risk reduction interventions affect these factors and lower HIV/STI risk for Hispanic women.

Evaluating a Culturally Tailored HIV Risk Reduction Intervention Among Hispanic Women Delivered in a Real-World Setting by Community Agency Personnel

“…commonly cited in the literature as having associations with increased risk of HIV infection, particularly among Hispanic women. 10,13,40,41 Depressive symptoms had also significantly reduced by the 12-month follow up of SEPA. The importance of this outcome in validating the effectiveness of the SEPA program should be examined within the context that females and persons of Hispanic origins respectively have the highest and second highest rates of depression in the United States.…”

“…42 More importantly, significant associations between depressive symptoms and HIV risk among Hispanic women exist in the literature. 40 Depressive symptoms have also been found to inversely correlate with self-esteem among Hispanic women. 43 The decreased incidence of depressive symptoms in our study may have resulted from the cultural tailoring of the SEPA program, which allowed women to openly discuss their concerns and fears about HIV infection.…”

“…These factors have been commonly cited in the literature as having associations with increased risk of HIV infection, particularly among Hispanic women. 10,13,40,41…”

<i>Syphilis</i> and <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> in Males from Northern Mexico with HIV-AIDS

“…In our study, we found that 58% of the population consumes alcohol and 25% consume drugs. Some studies mention a connection with alcohol abuse, depressive symptoms and the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection [28]. This evidence leads us to study the frequencies of STIs in our population, as well as their relationship with other studies.…”