Self-Reported HIV Antibody Testing Among Latino Urban Day Laborers

Abstract

Objective To identify the characteristics of male Latino urban day laborers who self-report having tested for HIV. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 356 Latino day laborers, aged 18 to 40 years, who had been sexually active in the previous 12 months, from six day labor sites in the City of Los Angeles. Results Most of the men were single, mainly from Mexico and Guatemala, and had been employed as a day laborer less than 3 years; 38% had an annual income of $4,000 or less. Ninety-two percent of the men reported having sex with women only and 8% reported a history of having sex with men and women. Forty-six percent had received an HIV test in the previous 12 months and one person tested positive. In univariate logistic regression analyses, day laborers who were 26 years of age or older, had more than 3 years in the United States, had more than 1 year but less than 5 years employed as a day laborer and had annual incomes greater than $4,000 were significantly more likely to self-report HIV testing in the previous 12 months. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only higher annual income was found to be significantly associated with self-reported HIV testing. Discussion Interventions that target lower income Latino day laborers are needed to promote early HIV detection. HIV detection offers individual benefits through treatment, with decreased morbidity and mortality, as well as public health benefits through decreased rates of HIV transmission in the community.

A comparison of HIV testing protocols with Latino day laborers

“…In addition, among individuals in the HIV-bundled protocol, those with an income greater than $10,000 were more likely to take an HIV test compared to those with a lower income. This is consistent with other research among day laborers which has found HIV testing to be more likely among those with a higher income (Solorio & Galvan, 2009). Day laborers with a higher income may have more access to promotional campaigns that stress the importance of HIV testing as well as locations to get tested for HIV.…”

“…In the previously mentioned study of 356 sexually active Latino day laborers in Los Angeles, California, among the 46% (n=164) who reported having received an HIV test in the previous 12 months, one person reported being positive (Solorio & Galvan, 2009). However, that sample drew participants from six day labor sites where it was known that solicitation of Latino male day laborers for sex by other men occurred.…”

“…One population of Latino immigrants that has received some attention in the HIV prevention literature is Latino day laborers (Ehrlich, Organista, & Oman, 2007;Galvan, Ortiz, Martinez, & Bing, 2008;Galvan, Ortiz, Martinez, & Bing, 2009;Solorio & Galvan, 2009;Organista & Kubo, 2005;Valdez, Cepeda, Negi, & Kaplan, 2010). Day workers seek jobs primarily in front of businesses and on busy streets (Valenzuela, Theodore, Melendez, & Gonzalez, 2006).…”

“…In a study conducted in Los Angeles, California, 356 sexually active Latino day laborers were interviewed (Solorio & Galvan, 2009). Of the 46% reporting having received an HIV test in the previous 12 months, only one person (0.6%) reported being positive.…”

HIV Testing Among Immigrant Sexual and Gender Minority Latinos in a US Region with Little Historical Latino Presence

“…Increasing research has examined HIV testing among Latinos. [13][14][15][16][17][18] Two novel intervention strategies (door-to-door outreach and trained peer educators) have demonstrated efficacy to increase HIV testing among heterosexual Latinos in North Carolina. 19,20 To date, however, few interventions have been developed to increase HIV testing among sexual and gender minority Latinos, 21,22 despite their recognition as a priority population for HIV prevention efforts.…”