Introduction

Latinos (Hispanics) living in the USA have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Although Latinos comprise only 12.5% of the US population (US Census Bureau, 2001), they accounted for 19.7% of people diagnosed with AIDS between 1996 and 2000 (CDC, 2001a). Through June 2000, men accounted for 82% of all AIDS cases among Latinos (CDC, 2000), and the main routes for HIV transmission in Latino men were male-to-male sexual contact (42%), injection drug use (35%), heterosexual contact (6%), and both male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use (7%). Among Latina women with AIDS, 47% contracted the illness through heterosexual contact and 40% via injection drug use.

The primary risk for exposure to HIV varies among Latino groups. For example, male-to-male sexual contact is the primary risk factor for both Mexican- and American-born Latinos (CDC, 2001b). In contrast, intravenous drug use is the primary HIV risk factor among Latinos born in Puerto Rico.

The clinician working with HIV-seropositive Latinos must recognize the diversity that exists within the Latino community. Age, gender, nationality, social class, educational level, migratory experience, and degree of acculturation each have a profound impact on the individual's experience. Furthermore, cultures are themselves dynamic, changing with time and circumstance.