(PS10-87) Familism and STI Testing Perceptions Among Latina Emerging Adults

Individuals 15 to 24 years of age comprise 50% of yearly STI cases while only accounting for a quarter of those who are sexually active (CDC, 2022) with Latinxs living in border regions often being disproportionally affected (Border Report Section 5, 2018). These disparities highlight the importance of assessing Latina perceptions of sexual and reproductive health services quantitatively as prior literature is predominantly qualitative (Decker et al., 2021). Latina sexual behaviors may be largely influenced by cultural constructs and this association may extend to STI testing perceptions. The present study assessed how familism may be associated with STI testing views among Latina college students while utilizing a health belief model framework.

Self-identified Latina college students (n=444) from a Hispanic Serving Institution (M_age= 20.01 years, SD = 2.13; 100% female) were recruited via SONA, a web-based recruitment system. After signing an electronic consent form, participants completed the following measures: sociodemographics; Attitudinal Familism Scale (AFS); Adapted STI Testing Beliefs measure. Five linear regression models assessed the relationships between demographics, AFS subscales, and STI Testing Beliefs (e.g., testing benefits, susceptibility, seriousness, barriers, motivation).

Results indicated the linear regression model predicting STI testing benefits was statistically significant (F (6, 428) = 2.495, p < .05, R² =.034). Family support was positively associated with testing benefits (b = .197, p < .05), while interconnectedness (b = -.194, p < .05) and family honor (b = -.165, p < .05) were negatively associated with testing benefits. The linear regression model predicting STI testing barriers was statistically significant (F (6, 427) = 6.647, p < .001, R² =.085). Family honor was positively associated with barriers (b = .128, p < .05), while age (b = -.263, p < .001) was negatively associated with barriers. The linear regression model predicting health motivation was statistically significant (F (6, 428) = 2.305, p < .05, R² =.031). Subjugation was positively associated with motivation (b = .185, p < .05).

That family support was positively associated with testing benefits suggests that Latinas who can rely on their families may feel encouraged to practice sexual health management. Moreover, subjugation was positively associated with health motivation indicating that caring for one’s health may be essential in the ability to care for others (Mann et al., 2016). That interconnectedness and familial honor were negatively associated with STI testing benefits and that interconnectedness was positively associated with barriers may reflect Latinas’ hesitancy to access services for fear this may contradict their family values (Caal et al., 2013). Lastly, that age was negatively associated with barriers is congruent with prior literature suggesting younger Latinas are more hesitant to bring awareness of their sexual activity status to parents (Cuffe et al., 2016) and perceive more barriers that put the confidentiality of service attainment at risk. These findings highlight nuances in the role that familism may play on STI testing views and prospective studies should extend this to service utilization.