that can significantly impact some Latinos’ decision to engage and continue in HIV care and mental health treatment: (1) some illness hasits roots in physical and spiritual imbalances; (2) illnesses are often a sign of weakness, punishment for misdeeds or sinful acts, and a source of shame; (3) traditional healers should be sought out before, during, and/or after consultation with Western medical professionals;and (4) individuals should seek “quick-fix” injections or pills to resolve illnesses. This “quickfix” belief may be connected with the motivationsof Latino gay men to use stimulants; in a study of 300 Latino gay men who used stimulants in the previous 6 months, motives for stimulant use included the desire for energy, sexual enhancement, social connection, coping with stress, and work productivity.
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