Perceived Risk of HIV Infection among Deported Male Injection Drug Users in Tijuana, Mexico

Deported injection drug users (IDUs) in Mexico may be vulnerable to HIV infection following expulsion from the U.S. We examined factors associated with HIV risk perception among a sample of deportees in Tijuana. From January to April 2010, 313 male IDUs who reported ever being deported from the U.S. completed a questionnaire. 

Overall, 35% of deportees perceived HIV risk. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, factors independently associated with HIV risk perception included: ever having a steady female partner in Tijuana post-deportation and years spent in a U.S. prison. Conversely, years of drug injection use, ever witnessing family members use drugs prior to first migration trip, years of residence in the United States and being a Tijuana-native were negatively associated HIV risk perception. 

U.S.-Mexico border cities that receive deported migrants should target HIV prevention interventions to specific subgroups, including drug-using male deportees. Interventions should consider migrant's time in the U.S., the role of their social networks, and reducing missed opportunities for HIV testing/education.

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By: Miguel Pinedo,a José Luis Burgos,a Angela M. Robertson,b,c Alicia Vera,a,d Remedios Lozada,e and Victoria D. Ojedaa,*

^bDepartment of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA

^cThe Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, USA

^dUniversidad Autonoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico

^e

aDivision of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
bDepartment of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
cThe Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, USA
dUniversidad Autonoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico

aDivision of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA