Condom use and migration in a sample of Mexican migrants: potential for HIV/STI transmission

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between condom use and migration to the United States (US) in two Mexican municipalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, non-probabilistic study of egocentric social networks was conducted in Cuauhtémoc, Colima and Tonalá, Jalisco during the months of December 2003 and January 2004, in 354 migrant subjects. Migration, sexual network, history and risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) characteristics were surveyed. Statistical analyses was conducted using logistic regression. RESULTS: Increased migration travel to the US was significantly associated with consistent condom use for Cuauhtémoc (OR: 3.87; p< 0.05) and Tonalá (OR: 4.12; p< 0.05) municipalities. Other significant predictors included: age, type of sex partner, and perceived monogamy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis that migration to the US is associated with condom use.

Keywords

• social networks
• migration
• condoms
• HIV/AIDS
• Mexico