HIV Prevalence among Central American Migrants in Transit Through Mexico to the USA, 2009-2013

HIV prevalence was estimated among migrants in transit through Mexico. Data were collected on 9108 Central American migrants during a cross-sectional study performed in seven migrant shelters from 2009 to 2013. Considerations focused on their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual and reproductive health, and experience with violence. 

Based on a sample of 46.6% of respondents who agreed to be HIV tested, prevalence of the virus among migrants came to 0.71%, reflecting the concentrated epidemic in their countries of origin. 

A descriptive analysis was performed according to gender: the distribution of the epidemic peaked at 3.45 % in the transvestite, transgender and transsexual (TTT) population, but fell to less than 1 % in men and women. This gender differential is characteristic of the epidemic in Central America. Furthermore, 23.5% of TTTs and 5.8% of women experienced sexual violence. The predominant impact of sexual violence on TTTs and women will influence the course of the AIDS epidemic.

Via: http://ht.ly/S8eN6

By: Leyva-Flores R1, Infante C2,3, Servan-Mori E1, Quintino-Pérez F4, Silverman-Retana O1.

• 1Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, Mexico.
• 2Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, Mexico. cesar.infante@insp.mx.
• 3Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. Av. Universidad 655, C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. cesar.infante@insp.mx.
• 4Mexico City Autonomous University (UACM), Mexico, Mexico.