Migrant Women and Female Partners of Male Migrants
Gaps in Research
- 1.
- Interventions in both sending and receiving countries are needed for migrant women and female partners of male migrants who are at high risk of HIV acquisition.
- 2.
- Interventions are needed for female migrants to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward those living with HIV.
- 3.
- Interventions are needed for communities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward female migrants as “vectors” of HIV.
1. Interventions in both sending and receiving countries are needed for migrant women and female partners of male migrants who are at high risk of HIV acquisition. Studies found that migrants, and female partners of male migrants, are often at high risk of HIV acquisition yet do not have basic facts concerning HIV transmission nor use condoms.
Gap noted, for example, in China (Lin et al., 2011; He et al., 2009; Li et al., 2010e; Qin et al., 2009; Wang et al., 2007a; Choi et al., 2006); Kazakhstan (El-Bassel et al., 2010); Yemen (Al-Serouri et al., 2010); Tajikistan (Golobof et al., 2011); Bangladesh (Islam et al., 2010; Mercer et al., 2007); Cambodia (Webber et al., 2010a; Webber et al., 2010b); Mexico (Kendall and Pelcastre, 2010); Burkina Faso (Khan et al., 2008); Tanzania (Kishamawe et al., 2006).
2. Interventions are needed for female migrants to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward those living with HIV. A study found that over half of female migrants in Shanghai, China agreed that people who acquire HIV through sex or drugs deserve it and most would not eat or buy food from a person with HIV. Most admitted fear of people living with HIV.
Gap noted, for example, in China (Cao et al., 2010).
3. Interventions are needed for communities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward female migrants as “vectors” of HIV. A study found that Mexicans blamed Central American women for HIV/AIDS in Mexico.
Gap noted, for example, on the Mexican-Guatemalan border (Infante et al., 2009).