AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #361 - Health and HIV prevention among Latinas: a integrated approach to empowerment
Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Julia Albarracin - Western Illinois University
Additional Authors: Mrs Jennifer Chancay, Mr Dustin Hinrichs, Mrs Stephanie Howe, Mrs Laura Sanchez,
Aim: Most of the research on HIV/AIDS prevention for Latinos/as has been centered on the influence of individual factors including attitudes, gender, education, and culture (Abel & Chambers, 2004; Amaro, 1998; Amaro & Raj, 2000; Gomez & Marin, 1996; Ortiz-Torres, Serrano-Gracia, & Torres-Burgos, 2000). Although the vulnerable situation of women is often acknowledged, most works fail to consider that sexual behaviors are a part of the structural inequalities affecting women in the economic, socio-cultural, interpersonal/relational, and political dimensions. This proposal fills this gap by putting forward an understanding of women’s sexual behavior within a general framework of empowerment. It argues that female sexual behavior is shaped by the general inequalities affecting women and change in sexual behavior requires change in the general structure of gender inequality affecting women. Thus, the proposed paper analyzes a survey with 250 partnered Mexican women and hypothesizes that, after controlling for demographic factors, access to health care, and gender stereotypes, the level of empowerment of women in the economic, socio-cultural, familial/interpersonal and political dimensions will impact general health conditions and condom use.
Method / Issue: Survey research.
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