Using Snowball-Based Methods in Hidden Populations to Generate a Randomized Community Sample of Gang-Affiliated Adolescents

Snowball-based methods frequently have been used when working with hidden populations whose members are difficult to identify and locate. By the very nature of the processes of these methods, such samples usually are not random or representative, thereby, resulting in selection bias. This study provides a framework on how to generate a randomized community-based sample of Mexican American adolescent females involved with gangs whose understanding merits further examination given their apparent increase in number and degree. Research findings from a more robust sample can accentuate appropriate policy formation as well as prevention and intervention programs aimed at improving the lives of high-risk youth

Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic Females

Intimate partner violence poses a major public health and social problem with serious criminal justice, health and social-related consequences. However, little is known about the etiology of intimate partner violence among young people, especially minority youth. Using the Hispanic Stress Inventory, we examine intimate partner violence among Hispanics, particularly Mexican American adolescent females. Understanding and identifying issues related to intimate partner violence is crucial for developing and implementing effective policies and programs encompassing both public health and criminal justice approaches specific to this rapidly growing population of young people

Injecting Drug Use Among Mexican Female Sex Workers on the US-Mexico Border

Both injecting drug users (IDU) and sex workers are at great risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. Therefore, IDU sex workers could be at especially high risk. The recent increase of HIV infection in Mexico has caused increased attention to sex work. We identify the correlates of injecting drug use including socio-demographic, work history, and sexual and non-injecting drug use risk behaviors among Mexican female sex workers. There is a high risk profile for IDUs compared to never injectors including a high prevalence of lifetime STI infection (54.2%). Revealed is an environment composed of high-risk networks that may have serious binational public health implications

Trajectories of Aging Long-Term Mexican American Heroin Injectors: The "Maturing Out" Paradox

To examine the applicability of the "maturing out" theory to a sample of aging Mexican American men who are long-term heroin injectors. Ethnographic data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study of aging Mexican American heroin users in Houston with 20 current heroin users. Findings indicate that dysfunctions that emerge in the heroin lifestyle lead not to cessation but rather to "maturing in," a specific process of social readjustment that returns the heroin user to a stable maintenance pattern of use instead of a recovery phase. This process of paradoxical maturing out can be attributed to the unconditional social support provided to the heroin user by family, peers, and the tecato subculture embedded in Mexican American communities. Results highlight the implications for the intersection of heroin-related conditions, natural age-related impairments, and cognitive functioning that make this population increasingly susceptible to adverse health consequences

Syndemic Profiles for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Sextually Transmitted Infections Among Mexican American Women Formerly Affiliated with Youth Street Gangs

We examine syndemic profiles of intimate partner violence, mental health, drug use, incarceration, and infectious diseases (HIV, HCV, and STIs) among a sample of adult Mexican American women who were affiliated with youth street gangs during adolescence through their relationships to boys and men. Latent class analysis included multiple factors along the following dimensions: intimate partner violence, drug use, mental illness, and incarceration. Five unique syndemic profiles were found with varying associations to HIV, HCV, and STI: (1) no syndemic, (2) intimate partner violence, no syndemic, (3) drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic, (4) intimate partner violence, drug use (without injection drug use), and mental health syndemic, and (5) intimate partner violence, drug use with injection drug use, mental health, and incarceration syndemic. To successfully prevent HIV, HCV, and STI among gang-involved girls and women, it is necessary to address syndemic factors