Prevalence, patterns and predictors of substance use among Latino migrant men in a new receiving community

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, patterns and predictors (individual, social, cultural, and environmental) of illicit drug use and binge drinking in a cohort of Latino migrant men (LMM) in a new receiving community. Methods A cohort of LMM in New Orleans (n = 125) was assembled in 2007 using respondent driven sampling and interviewed quarterly for 18 months regarding past month substance use and other potential covariates. Baseline frequencies were weighted using RDSAT and longitudinal analyses included generalized estimating equations (GEE) and the Cochran–Armitage test for trends. Results At baseline, substance use behaviors were: drug use 15.0% (range 7.3–25.0%) and binge drinking 58.3% (range 43.6–74.6%). All three of these behaviors decreased over follow-up (P < 0.01). Baseline alcohol dependence and drug problem were 11.8% (range 5.6–24.3%) and 0.08% (range 0.00–2.7%) and both remained the same over time. Baseline rate of chlamydia was 9% (range 0.00–22.4%); all men tested negative for gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis. For both binge drinking and drug use, having sex with a female sex worker was associated with increased risk, whereas belonging to a club or organization was associated with less risk. Additional factors associated with increased drug use were: having a friend in New Orleans upon arrival, symptoms of depression, and working in construction. An additional factor associated with less binge drinking was having family in New Orleans upon arrival. Conclusion Among LMM, substance use is influenced by social and environmental factors. Interventions increase community connectedness may help decrease usage.

Social Support Networks and HIV/STI Risk Behaviors Among Latino Immigrants in a New Receiving Environment

“…Samples of Latino immigrants in new receiving communities can be difficult to assemble. In early migration, it was easy to identify immigrants as many were day laborers and congregated in known areas (1, 33). In those instances we used venue-based sampling.…”

“…Eligibility criteria were 18 years or older, born in a Latin America or Spanish speaking Caribbean country, spoke Spanish and/or English, and resided in the New Orleans metro area, including Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Charles Parishes (county equivalent). Eight seed participants (4 men and 4 women) were selected from a prior study (33) and chosen because they fit the inclusion criteria for the present study. They were interviewed about their sexual, drug and social networks and asked to recruit up to three person in their social network using a double incentivized recruitment strategy.…”

Development and Preliminary Testing of a Promotora - Delivered, Spanish Language, Counseling Intervention for Heavy Drinking among Male, Latino Day Laborers

“…Compared to whites, Latinos are more likely to have low education levels, live in poverty, and be uninsured (Caetano & Clark, 2000; Mulia, Ye, Zemore, & Greenfield, 2008). Latino men often engage in a pattern of low frequency but high levels of drinking per occasion (Alvarez & Ruiz, 2001; Ornelas, Eng, & Perreira, 2011; Kissinger et al, 2013; Daneil-Ulloa et al, 2014). …”

Syndemic factors associated with drinking patterns among Latino men and Latina transgender women who have sex with men in New York City

“…Additionally, the causes of risky drinking among Latino men – and consequently, best strategies for designing interventions – may differ from those of other racial/ethnic populations. Many utilize alcohol as a coping mechanism to mitigate the depression and anxiety that are associated with such stressors as acculturation challenges, racial and ethnic discrimination, and economic hardship, among others (Alaniz & Einstein 2002; Hersch et al 2002; Kim-Godwin & Bechtel 2004; Rachlis et al 2007; Kissinger et al 2013; Daniel-Ulloa et al 2014). Additionally, when Latino men are distinguished by ethnicity, some populations do engage in heavier consumption than White men.…”