Abstract

TORRES LOPEZ, Teresa Margarita; INIGUEZ HUITRADO, Rosalba Alejandra; PANDO MORENO, Manuel  and  SALAZAR ESTRADA, José Gpe. Contagion Risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and VIH/AIDS from the perspective of male and female migrant adolescents in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Rev.latinoam.cienc.soc.niñez juv [online]. 2009, vol.7, n.1, pp.135-154. ISSN 1692-715X.

This study aimed at describing the contagion risk with STD and HIV/AIDS from the point of view of male and female migrant adolescents in Jalisco, Mexico. The purpose was to identify elements to understand the migrant adolescents' point of view in order to strengthen prevention and care programs for the migrant population. The nature of the study was qualitative exploratory. It lasted for 18 months, from January, 2006 to June, 2007. It was carried out in two contexts displaying a high migratory intensity: an urban and a rural community. The information was gathered by means of focus groups and individual interviews; and the analysis was of the phenomenological type. The findings showed that more than the migratory experience, it has been the origin context that has conditioned the perceptions of migrant male and female youths about the risk of being infected with STD and HIV/AIDS. They do not have a clear perception of the risk at their origin places; they consider them sure contexts to exercise their sexuality. The differences among the two areas were that in the urban area the adolescents exhibit a bigger knowledge about STD and HIV/AIDS. In the rural area this knowledge is limited by a control atmosphere that restricts the access to information and favors risk practices that may affect the health of both male and female youths. With reference to gender differences, the women have less access to information and condoms.

Keywords : migration; adolescence; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; HIV/ AIDS.