Syndemic Profiles for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Sextually Transmitted Infections Among Mexican American Women Formerly Affiliated with Youth Street Gangs

Abstract

We examine syndemic profiles of intimate partner violence, mental health, drug use, incarceration, and infectious diseases (HIV, HCV, and STIs) among a sample of adult Mexican American women who were affiliated with youth street gangs during adolescence through their relationships to boys and men. Latent class analysis included multiple factors along the following dimensions: intimate partner violence, drug use, mental illness, and incarceration. Five unique syndemic profiles were found with varying associations to HIV, HCV, and STI: (1) no syndemic, (2) intimate partner violence, no syndemic, (3) drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic, (4) intimate partner violence, drug use (without injection drug use), and mental health syndemic, and (5) intimate partner violence, drug use with injection drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic. To successfully prevent HIV, HCV, and STI among gang-involved girls and women, it is necessary to address syndemic factors.

HIV/STI/HCV Risk Clusters and Hierarchies Experienced by Women Recently Released from Incarceration

“…A cyclical association has also been identified between IPV, trauma, and the misuse of substances (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and opioids) [ 6 ], and between the severity of trauma and SUD among recently released women in particular [ 9 ]. Substance use and IPV are also deeply intertwined with poor decision-making, increased risk-taking, and adverse health consequences among justice-involved women, all of which are linked to HIV transmission, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [ 10 ], and Hepatitis C (HCV) [ 11 ].…”