The escalation of alcohol use among some Latino immigrant groups as their time in the United States increases has been well documented. Yet, little is known about the alcohol use behaviors of Latino ...immigrants before immigration. This prospective longitudinal study examines pre- to postimmigration alcohol use trajectories among a cohort of recent Latino immigrants. Retrospective preimmigration data were collected at baseline from a sample of 455 Cuban, South American, and Central American Latinos ages 18-34 who immigrated to the United States less than 1 year prior. Two follow-up assessments (12 months apart) reported on their postimmigration alcohol use in the past 90 days. We hypothesized (a) overall declines in pre- to postimmigration alcohol among recent Latino immigrants and (b) gender/documentation specific effects, with higher rates of alcohol use among males and undocumented participants compared to their female and documented counterparts. Growth curve analyses revealed males had higher levels of preimmigration alcohol use with steeper declines in postimmigration alcohol use compared to females. Declines in alcohol use frequency were observed for documented, but not undocumented males. No changes in pre- to postimmigration alcohol use were found for documented or undocumented females. This study contributes to the limited knowledge of pre- to postimmigration alcohol use patterns among Latinos in the United States. Future research is needed to identify social determinants associated with the alcohol use trajectories of recent Latino immigrants, as it may inform prediction, prevention, and treatment of problem-drinking behaviors among the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States.
Miami-Dade County, where many Latina seasonal workers reside and work, has the highest incidence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the US: a rate four times the national average. Despite ...this disproportionate risk for HIV, there are no HIV prevention interventions that aim to decrease HIV among Latina seasonal workers.
The PROGRESO EN SALUD study compared the outcomes of two interventions adapted to include a social network component (VOICES and HEALTHY). Recruitment used a social network respondent-driven sampling design in which each seed was asked to recruit three friends, and those friends were asked to recruit three friends, for a total of twenty groups of 13 friends. We collected data at baseline, and 6 months and 12 months post intervention completion. We used generalized estimating equation models, properly adjusted for non-independent contributions of both social network interventions, to estimate the effects. Gaussian family multivariate models were calculated, addressing exchangeable working correlations, including both individual-level and cluster-level covariates in these models.
A total of 261 Latina seasonal workers participated in either the HEALTHY or the VOICES intervention. There were significant changes over time in cognitive factors (
and
), behavioral factors (
and
), and communication factors (
and
).
This study supports the literature suggesting that interventions incorporating social networks can have positive effects on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes, including sustained benefits beyond study periods.
Latinas in farmworker communities are at particularly higher risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the vulnerable circumstances they experience. However, little is known about the ...factors influencing HIV prevention behaviors in this population. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of self-silencing behaviors and egalitarian attitudes toward women in relation to three HIV prevention behaviors: self-efficacy for HIV prevention, intentions to negotiate safe sex, and HIV-related knowledge. This study is a cross-sectional analysis that used hierarchical multiple regression models to examine these previously mentioned associations, among Latina immigrant farmworkers from Miami-Dade County, Florida (n=232). Findings indicated that self-silencing behaviors were adversely associated with the three HIV preventive behaviors whereas egalitarian attitudes were positively associated. Findings from this study may help to advance the understanding of sociocultural determinants of HIV prevention behaviors among Latina immigrants.
This study investigates a theorized link between Latino immigrants’ experience of acculturative stress during their two initial years in the United States (US) and declines in family cohesion from ...pre-to post-immigration contexts. This retrospective cohort study included 405 adult participants. Baseline assessment occurred during participants’ first 12 months in the US. Follow-up assessment occurred during participants’ second year in the US. General linear mixed models were used to estimate change in family cohesion and sociocultural correlates of this change. Inverse associations were determined between acculturative stress during initial years in the US and declines in family cohesion from pre-immigration to post-immigration contexts. Participants with undocumented immigration status, those with lower education levels, and those without family in the US generally indicated lower family cohesion. Participants who experienced more acculturative stress and those without family in the US evidenced a greater decline in family cohesion. Results are promising in terms of implications for health services for recent Latino immigrants.
There is concern that by failing to understand fully the risks associated with driving under the influence (DUI), some Latino immigrants—undocumented in particular —may be overrepresented in ...alcohol-related crashes. Until now, data on undocumented immigrants has been absent. Data came from an ongoing longitudinal sample of Latino immigrants to Miami-Dade County, FL. Descriptive analyses and regression techniques were applied. Compared with permanent residents, undocumented drivers are more likely to binge drink, less likely to understand DUI laws, and less likely to perceive the risks associated with DUI—three factors largely associated with high DUI rates. Despite facing these risk factors, undocumented immigrants showed low DUI rates, partly due to their limited amount of driving. Differences in risk perceptions and actual DUI events between Latino immigrants of different residency statuses suggest the possibility of early interventions aimed at reducing DUI among Latino immigrants.
Latina young adults are disproportionately at risk for sexually transmitted infections (e.g., HIV). However, little is known about social and cultural factors contributing to sexual health ...disparities among young adult Latina recent immigrants. The present study examined social and cultural factors contributing to sexual risk behaviors among 530 Latina women (ages 18-23) who immigrated to Miami-Dade County, Florida, approximately 12 months before assessment. At the cultural/macrosystemic level, participants who reported more sexual risk behaviors tended to (a) be less acculturated; (b) use less positive religious coping; (c) endorse to a greater extent the marianismo belief that Latinas should be the pillar of the family; and (d) endorse less of the marianismo belief that Latinas should be virtuous and chaste (i.e., abstain from premarital sex). As for individual-level factors, participants who reported more sexual risk behaviors also indicated (e) older age, (f) being married/partnered, (g) being employed, (h) living in the US longer, and (i) drinking more alcohol. Findings indicate areas for HIV/STI prevention for this underserved population.
The study's objective was to assess temporal changes in birth country and age among newly diagnosed Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). We used records from Hispanics/Latinos (2007-2016) who were ...reported to the Florida HIV/AIDS surveillance system. We compared trends in birth country/region and age by year using a two-sided Cochran-Armitage Trend Test. Of 12,427 new diagnoses, 85.9% were among men. Of men, 79.5% were MSM. The proportion attributable to MSM increased from 70.0% in 2007-85.7% in 2016 (p-value < .0001). Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM cases born in US-mainland, the proportion born in Cuba (20.0-29.9%; p-value < .0001) and South America (13.8% to 23.2%; p-value < .0001) increased significantly over time, and the proportion born in Central America (8.1% to 4.5%; p-value < .0001) decreased significantly over time. Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM aged 35-49 years, the proportion aged 13-24 (15.4% to 20.6%; p-value < .0001) and 25-34 (25.0% to 35.6%; p-value < .0001) years increased significantly over time. In Florida, HIV prevention and screening strategies should be enhanced for Cuban and South American immigrants and young Latinos to address the increasing trend in new diagnoses among Latino MSM.
In a previous effort we showed that compared with immigrants who are permanent residents, undocumented immigrants are more likely to binge drink, but less likely to drink while impaired (DWI) partly ...due to their limited amount of driving. This report examines a related risk: riding with an impaired driver (RWI). Data came from an ongoing longitudinal sample of Latino immigrants to Miami-Dade County, FL. Descriptive analyses and regression techniques were applied. While DWI rates among Latino immigrants is heavily limited by their access to a car, RWI rates were not restricted by driving limitations, nor related to participants’ legal immigration status (LIS). RWI rates were linked only to heavy drinking. Because it is not affected by driving limitations, RWI for these Latino immigrants is perhaps a more immediate risk than DWI. Addressing RWI among Latino immigrants should be a priority for traffic safety to Miami/Dade country.
Ocular allergy represents one of the most common conditions encountered by allergists and ophthalmologists. Allergic conjunctivitis is often underdiagnosed and consequently undertreated. Basic and ...clinical research has provided a better understanding of the cells, mediators, and immunologic events, which occur in ocular allergy. New pharmacological agents have improved the efficacy and safety of ocular allergy treatment. An understanding of the immunologic mechanisms, clinical features, differential diagnosis, and treatment of ocular allergy may be useful to all specialists who deal with these patients. The purpose of this review is to systematically review literature underlining all the forms classified as ocular allergy: seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratocongiuntivitis, contact allergy, and giant papillary conjunctivitis.
Polymeric micelles are being investigated as chemotherapy drug delivery carriers using ultrasound as a trigger mechanism. The aim of this paper is to measure the release of Doxorubicin (Dox) from the ...core of unstabilized Pluronic P105 micelles, Pluronic P105 micelles stabilized with an interpenetrating network of N,N-diethylacrylamide, and micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(oligolactylmethacrylate) with stabilized cores. An ultrasonic exposure chamber with fluorescence detection was used to measure the release of the antineoplastic agent from both stabilized and unstabilized micelles. The release of Dox at 37 degrees C from unstabilized Pluronic appears to be several times higher than release from the more stabilized and crosslinked copolymers at the same temperature. Although there is a difference in the amount of release between the different compounds, the onset of release occurs at about the same ultrasonic power density for all carriers investigated in this study. The threshold of drug release for all the compounds correlates to the emergence of subharmonic peaks detected in the acoustic spectra. We hypothesize that shearing events caused by cavitating bubbles play an important role in the acoustically activated release of chemotherapy agents delivered from various polymeric drug delivery vehicles.
PDF
