Nationally, Latinx are among the highest-growing ethnic populations and have reached about 62.1 million of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. census. While the fastest growing group, they are also facing higher rates of sexual health disparities at a national level. As the term Latinx is a general term regarding the origin, nationality, and heritage of Latin American countries, there are differences in the influx of types of Latinos that make up the populations at different levels. Nationally, Mexicans are the largest (57.7%). Evidently, across the research, Latinx are more likely to have unprotected sex at a younger age, have bigger chances of unintended pregnancies, and have a higher prevalence of certain STIs compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Sexual health may be a taboo topic among Latinx beyond contraceptives. Sexual health disparities refer to preventable inequitable health outcomes related to sexual health experiences by minority groups. Sexual health, according to the World Health Organization, means a state of emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing regarding human sexuality. Such behaviors relate to unintended pregnancies, STIs, multiple partners, and unprotected sex. Overall, the increased importance of sexual need satisfaction, especially among younger populations, was a predictor of increased sexual partners, first intercourse experiences at a younger age, and inconsistent condom usage.
Culture plays a significant role in sexual health and behaviors; in this perspective, Latino culture may influence the risk of sexual behaviors. Although Latinx is a broad term for different Latino cultures, gender norms can be among the more common, deep-rooted values among this group. Two indoctrinations often shape the roles of males and females within general Latinx cultures: machismo and marianismo. Machismo is the stereotype that men are sexual and dominant, whereas marianismo is the role of submissiveness and purity that women are expected to hold. Religion and Catholicism are heavily rooted in the Latinx culture, which can create shame around masturbation, sex outside of marriage, pleasure, non-heteronormative sexuality, and having multiple partners. The conceptualization of sexual health in Latinx is typically associated with contraceptive and STI prevention; however, sexual health also includes emotional and social well-being. Hence, the importance of addressing the oppressive issues that lead to preventable sexually risky behaviors complicating health states among Latinx.
Understanding the conceptualization of health at a Latinx cultural level is essential. Elena Avila bridges her cultural conceptualization of health with Western medicine in the book Woman Who Glows in the Dark. Avila’s view of health is heavily influenced by indigeneity in Aztec society, “[she] finds that [she] heals most effectively when [she] combines medical knowledge with [her] instincts and divine guidance.”In an effort to emphasize that choices impact health, Avila believes “God does not make us sick; we get sick because we do not take care of ourselves.” Her perspective as a nurse who physically heals and incorporates cultural conceptualizations of health to best do her role as a healer is essential because it considers how cultural sensitivities can be incorporated into health systemically.
These sexual health disparities are preventable not only regarding prevention and conception but also in the emotional and well-being aspects of sexual health. Latinx culture and its components, such as religion and gender roles, may have a heavy influence on sexual attitudes, behaviors, and sexual health in a holistic approach. Sexual health is essential to health as a holistic state and should be treated with a vital equivalent to physical health, especially within a culture that views health as being intertwined with the soul. Conclusively, this is an issue that is important because it inhibits the upward mobility of Latinx as a whole, as it is an issue that impacts any Latinx of any gender identity, sexuality, or sexual orientation.
