A Systematic Review of HIV Risk Behaviors and Trauma Among Forced and Unforced Migrant Populations from Low and Middle-Income Countries: State of the Literature and Future Directions

Abstract

The aim of the current systematic review is to examine the relationship between trauma and HIV risk behaviors among both forced and unforced migrant populations from low and middle income countries (LMIC). We conducted a review of studies published from 1995 to 2014. Data were extracted related to (1) the relationship between trauma and HIV risk behaviors, (2) methodological approach, (3) assessment methods, and (4) differences noted between forced and unforced migrants. A total of 340 records were retrieved with 24 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Our review demonstrated an overall relationship between trauma and HIV risk behaviors among migrant populations in LMIC, specifically with sexual violence and sexual risk behavior. However, findings from 10 studies were not in full support of the relationship. Findings from the review suggest that additional research using more rigorous methods is critically needed to understand the nature of the relationship experienced by this key-affected population.

Injection Drug Use Trajectories among Migrant Populations: A Narrative Review

“…Further, following the disruption of social ties and the consequent stress associated with migration (Michalopoulos, Aifah, & El-Bassel, 2016) (Table 1), arrival communities appear to be strongly determinative risk environments for injection initiation risk among migrants, particularly migrants residing in neighborhoods with above average injecting prevalence resulting from below average socioeconomic indicators (Durrant & Thakker, 2003; Robertson et al, 2012). For example, among Vietnamese women living in a neighborhood in Melbourne, Australia with a disproportionate number of PWID, injection initiation was reported by participants as a way to attain desired social connections following migration (Higgs et al, 2008).…”

“…So, although epidemics of blood-borne disease have been identified among PWID over the past three decades, mobility is emerging as a driving factor in syndemics of blood-borne disease and IDU (Beyrer et al, 2000; Folch et al, 2016; Rachlis et al, 2007). Notably, the relationship between migration and IDU may be bidirectional, as studies have observed PWID migrating in order to seek addiction treatment, as well as mixing with local PWID populations upon arrival, as has been observed among Puerto Rican migrants in the Northeastern U.S. (Deren et al, 2014; Michalopoulos, Aifah, & El-Bassel, 2016). …”

“…Globally, high-risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission have been observed in migrant populations as maladaptive coping mechanisms for migration-related hardships (Michalopoulos et al, 2016). High-risk sexual behaviors associated with HIV transmission are more prevalent among mobile populations compared with non-migrant populations (Rachlis et al, 2007; Swift, Maher, Sunjic, & Doan, 1997; Williams et al, 2011), a phenomenon that has, in addition to high-risk drug-use behaviors, driven the diffusion of HIV among PWID across border regions (Wagner et al, 2011; Williams et al, 2011).…”

Cross-border injection drug use and HIV and hepatitis C virus seropositivity among people who inject drugs in San Diego, California

“…Population mobility plays an important role in health, particularly in relation to infectious diseases (Hirsch, 2014; Michalopoulos, Aifah, & El-Bassel, 2016; Rachlis et al, 2007; Weine & Kashuba, 2012). Although there is often a concern that mobile populations can introduce infectious diseases to populations in the settings to which they travel (Grove & Zwi, 2006; Kamper-Jorgensen et al, 2012), they may also be exposed to new or increased risks in these settings compared with their place of origin (Goldenberg, Strathdee, Perez-Rosales, & Sued, 2012; Rachlis et al, 2007; Weine & Kashuba, 2012).…”

A qualitative study of migrant-related stressors, psychosocial outcomes and HIV risk behaviour among truck drivers in Zambia

“…Research has indicated that high levels of stress and psychosocial problems (e.g. depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety) among labor migrants from LMIC may be related to HIV risk behavior (Amirkhanian et al, 2011; Michalopoulos, Aifah & El-Bassel, 2015; Meyer, Robinson, Chhim, & Bass, 2014). In a systematic review of studies in Africa, the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, Weine and Kashuba (2012), found that difficult and dangerous housing and working conditions, as well as mental health problems were associated with HIV risk among labor migrants.…”