Examining the effects of parental migration on youth mental health and substance use: a qualitative study in rural Yucatán, México.

Background: Parental migration is common in Mexico and Latin America, where individuals pursue work to improve their family's economic opportunities and children remain home in their community under the care of the remaining parent or extended family. A research gap remains about the impact of parental migration on mental health and substance use in children who remain at home. The current study explored risk and resilience factors relating to mental health and substance use among Mexican youth remaining at home when one or more parents migrate. Methods: This qualitative study applied attachment theory and thematic analysis to analyze 26 in-depth interviews with youth (17-21 years old), parents, and a focus group with high-school teachers in a town with history of migration both domestically and internationally (Yucatan, México). Results: Respondents across groups perceived that parental migration was related to 1) less parental/caregiver oversight and support due to family demands on the remaining parent and 2) the deterioration of youth mental health. Lack of youth oversight and the poor mental health of youth were perceived as drivers of youth seeking out and consuming alcohol and substances. In terms of parental remittances, youth reported observing among their peers increased access to material goods such as clothing and technology (e.g., smartphones) and increased access to alcohol. Resilience factors included parental awareness of the role of good communication with youth and teachers and youth access to and utilization of self-care resources such as mutual aid meetings for substance use recovery. Conclusion: Poor mental health and substance use among youth and parents were perceived to be related to parental absence, stressors on the remaining parent or family, and undermined healthy parent-child attachment. Youth themselves are a source of insight for recommendations on interventions to reduce youth isolation and substance use risk. We recommend the intentional engagement of youth in developing intervention research and tailoring evidence-based interventions to mitigate parental absence's impact and promote parent-child attachment for youth and families remaining at home.

Substance use, economic vulnerability, and HIV/STI risk among female sex workers in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Economic hardship (e.g., difficulty to pay for basic needs) has been associated with increased HIV/STI risk among female sex workers (FSW), and may be exacerbated by high levels of substance use. Few studies have assessed the intersection of economic hardship, substance use, and HIV/STI risk among FSW. METHODS: Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires among 469 FSW residing in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Using logistic regression, we assessed the role of economic hardship on the association between substance use (past 30-days alcohol use, drug use, or injection drugs use with clients, and past 6-months drug use) and testing positive for an STI (also an indicator of HIV risk). RESULTS: Drug use in the preceding six months was significantly associated with testing positive for an STI (AOR = 1.8, CI: 1.1 = 2.9, p = .02); no difference in this association was found by whether women reported economic hardship. Past 30-day drug use with clients was associated with STI infection, but only among those who did not report economic hardship (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.9, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that economic hardship influences the association between substance use and increased risk for HIV/STI among FSW; however, these associations may be more complex than previously hypothesized.

Economic vulnerability, violence, and sexual risk factors for HIV among female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico.

Economic vulnerability is often reported to underlie involvement in sex work among female sex workers (FSW), but may also create urgency in women's work, limiting women's negotiating power with clients and in turn, increasing their vulnerability for violence and HIV. This study assessed economic vulnerability in relation to violence and sexual risk behaviors for HIV among a sample of FSW in Tijuana, Mexico. FSW at least 18 years of age were recruited through venue-based sampling for a survey (n = 228) and in-depth interviews (n = 50) to investigate HIV risk factors in this region. Using crude and adjusted logistic regression models, we assessed lack of financial support from others as well as reports of financial hardship separately in relation to experiencing sexual violence (e.g. by clients, police, relationship partners, in the past 6 months), physical violence (past 6 months), STI diagnosis, and inconsistent condom use (past 30 days). Qualitative interviews (n = 50), conducted with a subsample of the survey participants, were also examined for related themes. FSW who reported no financial support were more likely to report sexual violence (OR = 2.1; 95% CI:1.1-4.2). FSW who reported financial hardship were more likely to experience sexual violence (OR = 1.9; 95% CI:1.1-3.6) and physical violence (OR = 1.9; 95% CI:1.1-3.6), as well as to report past 30-day inconsistent condom use (OR = 2.4; 95%CI: 1.3-4.6) and to test positive for an STI (OR = 1.9; 95% CI:1.1-3.4). Qualitative data substantiated these findings. Findings suggest that interventions to improve economic well-being may be useful to prevent the intersecting concerns of violence and HIV among FSW.

Mujeres Unidas: Addressing Substance Use, Violence, and HIV Risk through Asset-Based Community Development for Women in the Sex Trade.

This paper examines the prevalence of and potential for community mobilization (CM) and its association with HIV/STI risk, substance use, and violence victimization among women, particularly those using substances, in the sex trade in Tijuana, Mexico. METHODS: 195 women participated in Mujeres Unidas (K01DA036439 Urada) under a longitudinal survey study, "Proyecto Mapa de Salud" (R01DA028692, PI: Brouwer). Local health/social service providers (N = 16) were also interviewed. RESULTS: 39% of women who participated in community mobilization activities used substances. In adjusted analyses (n = 135), participation in CM activities (n = 26) was more likely among women who did not report substance use (AOR: 4.36, CI: 1.11-17.16), perceived a right to a life free from violence (AOR: 9.28, CI: 2.03-59.26), talked/worked with peers in the sex trade to change a situation (AOR: 7.87, CI: 2.03-30.57), witnessed violence where they worked (AOR: 4.45, CI: 1.24-15.96), and accessed free condoms (AOR: 1.54, CI: 1.01-2.35). Forty-five of the women using substances demonstrated their potential for engaging in asset-based community development (ABCD) with service providers in Mujeres Unidas meetings. CONCLUSION: Women using substances, vs. those who did not, demonstrated their potential to engage in ABCD strategies. Women's empowerment, safety, and health could be enhanced by communities engaging in ABCD strategies that build and bridge social capital for marginalized women who otherwise have few exit and recovery options.

Women Trading Sex in a U.S.-Mexico Border City: A Qualitative Study of the Barriers and Facilitators to Finding Community and Voice.

Poverty and income inequality can increase a woman's decision to engage in risky transactional sex, and may lead to unimaginable harms, such as violence, substance use, and human trafficking. This study examines the facilitators and barriers to finding community and voice among women trading sex in Tijuana, Mexico, and what factors, such as socio-structural support, violence, and substance use, may impact their potential to engage with others, including human service providers. Sixty qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with women trading sex in Tijuana, Mexico. Researchers met with participants for in-depth-face-to-face structured interviews. Data were coded using ATLAS.ti. Participants were aged 19-73 (mean: 37), 98% were of Mexican nationality, 90% reported trading sex independent of the control of others, with 58% identified as independent and street-based. Thirty percent of women trading sex reported substance use (excluding marijuana) and 20% reported injection drug use within 30 days. The majority reported no involvement in mobilization activities, but 85% expressed interest. However, barriers included stigma, cultural gender norms, partner violence, and privacy in regards to disclosure of sex trade involvement, moral conflict (revealing one's involvement in sex trade), involvement in substance use, human trafficking, and feeling powerless. Facilitators were having a safe space to meet, peer support, self-esteem, feeling heard, knowledge of rights, economic need to support families, and staying healthy. Findings imply the potential to go beyond mobilizing limited groups of women in the sex trade and instead involve whole community mobilization; that is, to reach and include the more vulnerable women (substance use, trafficked) in supportive services (social services, exit strategies, better healthcare opportunities, and/or education for healthcare providers to help break societal stigmas regarding women in the sex trade) and to change the status of women in society in general.

Preventing syndemic Zika virus, HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy: dual method use and consistent condom use among Brazilian women in marital and civil unions.

Syndemic Zika virus, HIV and unintended pregnancy call for an urgent understanding of dual method (condoms with another modern non-barrier contraceptive) and consistent condom use. Multinomial and logistic regression analysis using data from the Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher (PNDS), a nationally representative household survey of reproductive-aged women in Brazil, identified the socio-demographic, fertility and relationship context correlates of exclusive non-barrier contraception, dual method use and condom use consistency. Among women in marital and civil unions, half reported dual protection (30% condoms, 20% dual methods). In adjusted models, condom use was associated with older age and living in the northern region of Brazil or in urban areas, whereas dual method use (versus condom use) was associated with younger age, living in the southern region of Brazil, living in non-urban areas and relationship age homogamy. Among condom users, consistent condom use was associated with reporting Afro-religion or other religion, not wanting (more) children and using condoms only (versus dual methods). Findings highlight that integrated STI prevention and family planning services should target young married/in union women, couples not wanting (more) children and heterogamous relationships to increase dual method use and consistent condom use.

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors in Male to Female (MTF) Transgender Persons in Tijuana, Mexico.

Compared to HIV research on men who have sex with men, less is known about the risks and vulnerabilities for HIV among Male to Female (MTF) transgender persons, particularly in different geographic regions like Mexico. In Tijuana, Mexico, a border city experiencing a dynamic HIV epidemic, no precedent data exists on the MTF transgender population. Our aims were to estimate HIV prevalence and examine the behaviors and characteristics of the population. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 MTF transgender persons recruited through time location sampling in 2012. Participants underwent interviewer-administered (paper and pen) surveys and rapid tests for HIV. Descriptive univariate analyses were conducted on various factors, including sociodemographics, substance use, accessing social services (requested vs. received), stigma, and sex behaviors. A total of 22% tested positive for HIV, a prevalence higher than other key populations at risk for HIV in Tijuana.

Dual protection to address the global syndemic of HIV and unintended pregnancy in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Syndemic HIV and unintended pregnancy is prevalent in Brazil, where 79% of female HIV cases occur in women of reproductive age and 55% of all pregnancies are unintended. Although increasing condom use to prevent HIV may decrease non-barrier contraception and increase unintended pregnancy, few studies focus on dual protection or dual methods (condoms with another modern contraceptive). AIM: To describe the correlates of dual method use and consistent condom use in women of reproductive age in Brazil. METHOD: Data are from the 2006 Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Mulher e da Criança, a decennial nationally representative household survey of women of reproductive age in Brazil. Multivariate logistic regression models identify the socio-demographic, sexual debut, fertility and relationship factors associated with dual method use and consistent condom use. RESULTS: Two-thirds of contracepting women in Brazil used dual protection (40% exclusive condoms, 27% dual methods). Consistent condom use in the past year occurred among 61% of exclusive condom users and 27% of dual method users. Dual methods (vs exclusive condoms) was associated with some high school education [relative risk ratio (RRR)=1.69, p<0.05], living in the Southern region (RRR=1.59, p<0.01), and number of children (RRR=1.22, p<0.01), net of other factors. Consistent condom use was associated with condom use at sexual debut [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.84, p<0.001], wants no (more) children (AOR=1.86, p<0.001), single/separated relationship status (AOR=2.77/2.45, p<0.001) and using exclusive condoms (vs dual methods: AOR=0.19, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight that targeting and delivering integrated HIV and family planning services should focus on completed/large families. single/separated individuals, and promoting dual protection at sexual debut.

Short-term cessation of sex work and injection drug use: evidence from a recurrent event survival analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study quantitatively examined the prevalence and correlates of short-term sex work cessation among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs) and determined whether injection drug use was independently associated with cessation. METHODS: We used data from FSW-IDUs (n=467) enrolled into an intervention designed to increase condom use and decrease sharing of injection equipment but was not designed to promote sex work cessation. We applied a survival analysis that accounted for quit-re-entry patterns of sex work over 1-year stratified by city, Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. RESULTS: Overall, 55% of participants stopped sex work at least once during follow-up. Controlling for other characteristics and intervention assignment, injection drug use was inversely associated with short-term sex work cessation in both cities. In Ciudad Juarez, women receiving drug treatment during follow-up had a 2-fold increase in the hazard of stopping sex work. In both cities, income from sources other than sex work, police interactions and healthcare access were independently and significantly associated with shorter-term cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term sex work cessation was significantly affected by injection drug use. Expanded drug treatment and counseling coupled with supportive services such as relapse prevention, job training, and provision of alternate employment opportunities may promote longer-term cessation among women motivated to leave the sex industry.