Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Major/Program
Nursing
First Advisor's Name
Sandra Gracia Jones
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Eric Fenkl
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Third Advisor's Name
Sandra L. Lobar
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Fourth Advisor's Name
Michelle Kameka
Fourth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Fifth Advisor's Name
Joseph P. De Santis
Fifth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Keywords
Sexual behaviors, men who have sex with men, MSM, Hispanic, HMSM
Date of Defense
3-21-2016
Abstract
In 2010, men who have sex with men (MSM) represented 4% of the population in the United States (US) and accounted for 78% of all new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among Hispanic men. Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) accounted for the third largest number of new HIV infections (6,700 cases). This dissertation explored the effects of age, loneliness, substance use, depression, and social support on high risk sexual behaviors that predispose middle aged HMSM to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV infection risk. A sample of 150 urban HMSM aged 40 to 65 were surveyed in this study. Singer’s Syndemics Theory (1996) provided this study’s theoretical framework. Data was analyzed using a variety of parametric and non-parametric statistics. Loneliness, social support, depressive symptoms, alcohol/drug use, and sexual risk behaviors were found to have an influence on HIV infection status in this study. Partner status, religious affiliation and age did have an influence on alcohol use in this study’s participants. Also, participants with increased age had increased depressive symptoms in this study. Lastly, depressive symptoms, substance use, social support, and loneliness did have an influence on sexual risk behaviors in this study’s participants, specifically alcohol use and illicit drug use. The findings from this study should be used to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate prevention strategies geared to reduce STI and HIV infection in this population. Future research should build on these findings and develop tailored risk reduction interventions addressing HMSM, with particular attention to the understudied age group of the middle aged HMSM.
Identifier
FIDC000243
Recommended Citation
Valdes, Beatriz, "Co-occurring Health Risks Among Middle Aged Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men (HMSM) in South Florida" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2482.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2482
Included in
Family Practice Nursing Commons, Geriatric Nursing Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons
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