Machismo and marianismo: implications for HIV / AIDS risk reduction and education.

In the United States the Hispanic population constitutes a disproportionate share of AIDS cases. The incidence of HIV infection among Hispanic heterosexual men is nine times that among non- Hispanic heterosexual men. To identify appropriate avenues for intervention to safeguard this group from HIV traditional Latino sexual roles are examined. Machismo is a social behavior pattern in which the Latin male exhibits an overbearing attitude to anyone in a position he perceives as inferior to his demanding complete subservience. Marianisimo is a behavior pattern in which the traditional Latin female perceives herself as morally and spiritually superior to the man in direct proportion to his sexual misbehaviors. Prevention strategies discussed include promoting community ownership through cultural sensitivity redefining sexual responsibility by empowering women utilizing the Hispanic family as change agent and promoting acculturation as disease prevention. (authors)