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For African migrants in Europe, destitution shapes sexual behaviour and HIV risk
Roger Pebody, 2015-12-01 10:00:00
For African migrants recently arrived in France, periods without a residence permit, secure housing or enough money are very common and are associated with transactional and casual sexual relationships, especially in women, Annabel Desgrées du Loû and colleagues report in AIDS. Moreover one third of those living with HIV seroconverted after arriving in the country and the destitution experienced appears to have contributed to those infections.
Another analysis from this cohort (reported in July at the International AIDS Society conference in Vancouver and also in a recent issue of Eurosurveillance) is one of several recent studies to demonstrate that African migrants who are now living with HIV in European countries did not all become HIV positive while they were in Africa. Analysis of CD4 cell counts and life history data showed that between a third and a half probably acquired HIV after migration and while living in France.
The implication is that European health services need to do more than provide HIV testing to African migrants, but also create and provide effective HIV prevention interventions. The study published in AIDS highlights some of the social factors that this prevention needs to take account of. Harsh immigration and economic policies which put migrants into situations of economic insecurity and destitution appear to encourage sexual behaviours that increase their risk of acquiring HIV.
However the behavioural patterns of men and women are, in many cases, distinct.
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