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Latino Laborer Health Initiatives |
HIV-Related Risk Behaviors and Associated Perceptions among Latino Urban Day Laborers and Rural Migrant and Seasonal
Workers in the Agricultural Sector”
Project Overview and Description
The main objectives of this study are to describe and explain salient socio-cultural factors and forces that contextualize the everyday lives of Latino migrant and day laborers as they relate to placing them at risk for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and related health problems. This ethnographic project is designed to eventually collaborate with an epidemiological project with the goals of: a) uncovering social factors and forces that are highly associated to HIV and related health risk; b) corroborate the strengths and dissonance of qualitative and quantitative data as it applies to the target population; and c) assert a medical anthropological description and analysis that is applicable to public health policy and interventions.
Specifically, this ethnographic study of the social dynamics that place Latino laborers at risk of acquiring HIV and related health risks comes from a recognition that HIV prevention and treatment is most effective when it is highly specific to a particular population that takes into account the identified risk behaviors and contexts of risk of the target population (Bletzer 1995; Chavez 1992; Ciccaone 2003; Duke et al 2003; Singer et al 1990). The target population of Latino (mainly Mexican and Central American) laborers includes two cohorts of day (primarily urban) and seasonal-migrant (primarily rural) laborers, mainly although not exclusively men who may or may not be legally documented (Quesada 1999; Rouse 1992; Wells 1996). This population has been identified as at risk because of their work and social histories; they are generally highly mobile; tend not to have medical insurance nor maintain consistent health coverage; receive below or near minimum subsistent wages; and maintain transient life styles, all of which places them at high risk of acquiring HIV and related health diseases (Chavez 1992, 1997; Mishra et at 1996; Phillips et al 1999; Schur et al 1999; Sorenstein et al 2001; Pinderhughes 1996; Walter et al 2002).
Latino laborers are a notably understudied group and information on their HIV status and risk is scarce. This population is excluded from the formal labor sector, are limited or denied access to most health and social services, and considered suspicious from the law. Many are homeless, living in squalid and temporary housing conditions, and engage in unpredictable and temporary residential and work arrangements. These social factors may contribute to heightened risk of acquiring HIV and related diseases. This ethnographic study is designed to help assess such risk and to identify the social factors that may contribute to such risk.
The target population for this study consists of Latino (mainly Mexican and
Central American) laborers who are 18 years of age and older. The target population includes two cohorts of day (primarily urban San Francisco County) and seasonal-migrant (primarily rural Monterey County) laborers, who are mainly although not exclusively men.
This ethnographic study will describe and analyze the personal and social
backgrounds; everyday social practices; health and risk behaviors and attitudes; and utilization of health resources. The research will be conducted in the City and County of San Francisco and Monterey County, California. In each study site, either two ethnographers or one ethnographer and trained assistant will recruit participants for this study. Project staff have established contact with the San Francisco and Monterey County Departments of Health and will be establishing contacts with local health officials and other key officials in the area before the study begins, during implementation, and after completion.
Research staff at SFSU have worked in San Francisco with the day laborer population and are therefore familiar with venues frequented by this population. In San Francisco, the ethnographer(s) will coordinate their research activities with a host of community-based organizations and health facilities that serve Latino migrant day laborers (i.e.; Dolores Street Community Services; 16th Street Day Laborer Program; Mission Neighborhood Health Center, etc). CSVS has worked very closely with agricultural laborers in Monterey County and are therefore familiar with various areas for study implementation. In Monterey, the ethnographic team will coordinate research activities with CSVS and other organizations and facilities that serve the target population. Coordination will consists of gaining access to the study population and use of facilities to conduct interviews on as needed process. The principal ethnographer for this site has worked with Mexican and Central American migrants in California, and both ethnographers live or have lived and worked in Mexico and Central America.
Further recruitment of research subjects in both locales will follow classic snowball techniques of acquiring referrals from current ethnographic research subjects. In addition, a social topographic study of research locales will identify key sites (i.e.; shelters, parks, bars, etc) where potential ethnographic subjects gather. Following identification of such sites, ethnographic contact and immersion in such sites will be undertaken to recruit subjects as well acquire familiarity with social environment of Latino laborers.
This study is supported by a grant from the State of California Department of Health, Office of AIDS. Partners to our project include, the University of California, San Francisco Urban Health Studies, and the Clinica de Salud en el Valle de Salinas (CSVS) in Monterey county.
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The César E. Chávez Institute
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