Migration crisis in Venezuela and its impact on HIV in other countries: the case of Colombia
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- Category: HIV AIDS Eng
- Publication Date: 2019
Colombia is an example to discuss and enhance the message of the negative consequences of the massive migration from Venezuela and the impact on HIV in a near country. Using and analyzing data from the surveillance system of Colombia, during 2017 (SIVIGILA, https://www.ins.gov.co/Paginas/sistemas-de-informacion.aspx), we explored the incidence of new cases of HIV imported from other countries, particularly including Venezuela.
Addressing HIV/AIDS and syphilis in Venezuelan migrant women from the perspective of health managers in the North of Brazil
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- Category: HIV AIDS Eng
- Publication Date: 2023
This descriptive-exploratory study using a qualitative approach was conducted from January to March 2021 in the municipalities of Boa Vista (state of Roraima) and Manaus (state of Amazonas). Audio interviews with the participants were transcribed in full and examined using thematic content analysis. Ten managers were interviewed (five in Boa Vista and five in Manaus). Content analysis identified the following domains and themes: available infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment of AIDS and syphilis - access, availability of medical appointments /waiting list, training of health teams, and psychosocial support; challenges faced by Venezuelan women - language, documentation issues, and frequent address changes; and strategies and actions adopted and expectations for addressing HIV/AIDS and syphilis in the context of migration. Despite the care provided to Venezuelan women in Brazil - guaranteed by the universal nature of the Brazilian health system - language and lack of documentation remain as barriers. Given the absence of action plans and future planning for the care of migrant women with HIV or syphilis in municipalities, it is important to develop public policies aimed at minimizing the difficulties faced by this population.
Sexual vulnerability of migrant women in the multicultural context of French Guiana: A societal issue
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- Category: HIV AIDS Eng
- Publication Date: 07 September 2022
French Guiana is a multicultural French territory in Amazonia with an old migration history and a high prevalence of HIV infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate situations of sexual vulnerability and their associated factors among migrant women in French Guiana. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in 2021 in the French Red Cross Prevention and Health Centers of the two main cities of French Guiana (Cayenne and Saint Laurent du Maroni). Analysis was performed with multivariate stepwise logistic regression using Stata 15.0 software. A total of 382 migrant women were included, with a median age of 31 years, mainly born in Haiti (80%), Suriname (9%), or Dominican Republic (6%), undocumented (71%), and with financial difficulties (77%). Among the 20% having casual partners, 57% reported unprotected sexual intercourse, more often the Haitian and Surinamese women. A history of rape was reported by 20% of women, most often in the country of origin (71%). Lifetime rape was associated with being threatened [aOR = 3.69 (1.96–6.96)] or being physically abused [aOR = 12.95 (6.51–25.75)] in the multivariate analysis. Among the women surveyed, 30% reported having ever exchanged sex for money, food, or shelter in their lifetime. Transactional sex is more common among Dominican women [aOR = 5.59 (1.84–16.95)] and women living in French Guiana for more than 2 years [aOR = 2.32 (1.38–3.92)]. Transactional sex is also associated with alcohol misuse [aOR = 2.57 (1.46–4.53)], history of threats [aOR = 2.03 (1.14–3.63)], history of rape [aOR = 1.92 (1.03–3.60)], and depressive disorders [aOR = 2.08 (1.21–3.60)].
Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in international migrant women: Current scenario and challenges
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- Category: HIV AIDS Eng
- Publication Date: July 15, 2020
Preventing vertical transmission of HIV is a challenge for all countries worldwide. The permanent construction of global societies with a variable degree of international migrant population has made it more complex. Health policies, programs, and actions for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in pregnant migrants demand an intercultural perspective, where social, cultural, and gender dimensions associated with the infection are addressed. Understanding the local reality regarding the prevention of vertical transmission in the international migrant population in Chile is essential to carry out concrete actions that favor the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This article presents some essential concepts related to this topic. It also presents international and national information on risks of vertical transmission in pregnant migrants, the importance of the national plan for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in our country, and some ongoing efforts to adapt such plan to the reality of social and cultural diversity that pregnant migrants currently present in Chile, as a useful public health instrument with an intercultural perspective.