AIDS knowledge and risk behaviors among midwest migrant farm workers

The objectives of this study were to investigate the AIDS/HIV knowledge of Latino adolescent and adult migrant farm workers in Michigan, to determine risk behaviors related to HIV, and to determine differences in generational norms regarding sexual activity. For the most part, the Latino migrant population seemed knowledgeable about sexual modes of HIV transmission, although casual contact, through kissing and going to school or work with an infected individual, was also seen as a possible route of transmission for some. Several condom beliefs were identified that may be barriers to use, including the beliefs that condoms are only for use with prostitutes (35% agreed) and that condoms are only for gay men (54% agreed). Only a small proportion (10%) agreed that condoms were good protection from AIDS. Most respondents knew what condoms were, although only 51 % of the sample knew friends who used them. Adolescent females in the camps generally disapproved of premarital sex, while males and older females were more accepting. All these factors make it pertinent to implement HIV/AIDS education programs that are culturally sensitive, gender-specific, and effective in both generations.