TABLE 1.
Sociodemographic Characteristics, Sexual Activity and HIV Testing Behaviors of Young Latino Male Gang Members (n = 161)
| Characteristic | Frequency | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Sociodemographics and sexual activity | ||
| Age, y (Mean: 21.0, SD: 2.14) | ||
| 18 – 20 | 74 | 47.1% |
| 21 – 26 | 83 | 52.9% |
| Relationship status | ||
| Married/living together | 24 | 14.9% |
| Single/separated/divorced | 137 | 85.1% |
| Education | ||
| 11th grade or less | 70 | 43.4% |
| High school or more | 91 | 56.5% |
| Employment | ||
| Part-time | 35 | 21.8% |
| Full-time | 22 | 13.7% |
| Unemployed | 103 | 64.4% |
| Have children | 56 | 34.8% |
| Ever been incarcerated | 101 | 63.5% |
| Age joining a gang member (Mean: 13.1; SD:2.53) | ||
| Number of years belonging to a gang | ||
| 1–5 | 51 | 31.9% |
| 6–9 | 59 | 36.9% |
| >10 | 50 | 31.3% |
| Vaginal intercourse in past 12 months | 139 | 86.3% |
| Unprotected vaginal intercourse in past 12 months (n = 139) | 74 | 53.2% |
| HIV testing behaviors | ||
| Ever been tested for HIV | 56 | 35.0% |
| Reasons for being tested for HIV (n = 56) | ||
| Required for job, insurance or military service | 2 | 3.6% |
| Someone suggested to get tested | 27 | 48.2% |
| Thought one might have HIV/AIDS | 8 | 14.3% |
| Required as part of a medical test | 7 | 12.5% |
| Other reasons | 14 | 25.0% |
| Would like to get tested for HIV | 131 | 81.9% |
| Know where to get an HIV test | 103 | 68.9% |
| Tested for HIV/AIDS in the study | 82 | 50.9% |
| First-time testers | 51 | 62.2% |
| Repeat testersa | 31 | 37.8% |
| Tested positive for HIV (n = 107)b | 0 | 0.0% |
Note. SD: Standard deviation.
a
Tested for HIV in the study and also had a prior history of HIV test.
b
Sample size based on first-time testers and those with a prior history of HIV test. Missing data: Maximum number of missing data was ≤4 across all variables.