Protective factors and risk factors of HIV infection of Mexican-American gay men

Problem/background. Latinos, particularly Mexican-American are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic when compared to other ethnic groups. HIV prevalence for Latinos has been found to vary by geographic location (Centers for Disease Control, 2005). This variability may be attributable to social-cultural factors within these environs.; The prevalence of HIV infection of Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) in Dallas, Texas continues to increase. There were 127 HIV cases (14%) in 2005 and 205 HIV cases (19%) in 2006 among Latino MSM (Texas State Health Department, 2006). An understanding of social-cultural factors in Dallas, Texas may contribute to an understanding of the prevalence of Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection in this population of gay Latino males.; Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of Mexican-American gay men regarding what it was like to grow up as a Mexican-American gay male in Dallas, Texas. The study focused on protective and risk factors for HIV infection, in the hope that information drawn from the research may later be used to develop culturally sensitive interventions targeted towards Mexican-American gay men.; Exploring HIV protective and HIV risk factors may contribute to intervention development that (a) raises the consciousness of Mexican-American gay men regarding the circumstances of oppression, (b) boosts pride in ethnicity and sexual orientation, (c) decreases internalized homophobia, and (d) achieves a sense of a Mexican-American gay community.; Specific aims/research questions. (1) Explore the lived experience of Mexican-American gay men who grew up in Dallas, Texas, regarding what it is like growing up as a Mexican-American gay male. Question: What was it like growing up as a Mexican-American gay man in Dallas, Texas? (2) Explore the lived experience of Mexican-American gay men who grew up in Dallas, Texas, regarding HIV protective factors and risk factors for HIV infection Question: What is the lived experience of Mexican-American gay men who grew up in Dallas, Texas, regarding HIV protective factors and risk factors for HIV infection?; Method. Participants included Mexican-American gay men 30 to 60 years of age who grew up in Dallas, Texas. A phenomenological approach was utilized, including semi-structured interviews with open-ended probes.; Credibility (validity) of the data was ensured by in-depth qualitative interviews, theme and pattern analysis, theme and pattern saturation, negative case analysis, and member checking. Dependability (reliability) was ensured by an audit trail.; Data analysis. Van Manen's method of interpretive phenomenology and data analysis guided the data analysis.; Findings. The data was analyzed using Van Manen's approach to phenomenology data analysis. The following patterns were identified: (a) accepting, (b) machismo, (c) loving, (d) respecting, (e) dating, (f) being HIV negative and (g) being HIV positive. Within the pattern of accepting, the following themes were identified: (a) accepting one's sexuality and (b) hiding related to shame and oppression. Within the pattern of machismo, the following themes were identified: (a) protector and (b) hypermasculinity. Within the pattern of loving, the following themes were identified: (a) being in love and (b) loneliness. Within the pattern of respecting, the following themes were identified: (a) family, (b) self and (c) life. Within the pattern of dating, the following themes were identified: (a) using protection and (b) taking risk. Within the pattern of being HIV negative, the following theme was identified: (a) taking risk. Within the pattern of being HIV positive, the following themes were identified: (a) living then-taking risk and (b) living now-using protection and (c) living now-taking risk.; Discussion. HIV prevention efforts have focused on intervention development since the inception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The current...