Self-efficacy and Coping as Correlates of Migrant Safe Sexual Behavior to Prevent HIV

Along the Mexico/United States border, migrants are at increased risk of HIV. The objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between two process indicators (self-efficacy to prevent HIV and coping with sexual risk) and safe sexual behaviors in migrants. A correlational design was used. Migrants were recruited from two cities on the northern border of Mexico. Transition theory informed the measurement of self-efficacy and coping process indicators. Three generalized linear models were built for each safe sexual behavior outcome: (a) partner communication, (b) use of condoms, and (c) safe sex. Of 311 migrants, indicators of self-efficacy and coping with sexual risk were associated with all three outcome measures of safe sexual behavior (p < .05). Process indicators explained 22.5% to 30.6% of the variance in the data. Therefore, self-efficacy to prevent HIV and coping ability are important correlates of migrant sexual risk behavior.