Mobility among youth in Rakai, Uganda: Trends, characteristics, and associations with behavioural risk factors for HIV

Abstract

Mobility, including migration and travel, influences risk of HIV. This study examined time trends and characteristics among mobile youth (15-24 years) in rural Uganda, and the relationship between mobility and risk factors for HIV. We used data from an annual household census and population-based cohort study in the Rakai district, Uganda. Data on in-migration and out-migration were collected among youth (15-24 years) from 43 communities from 1999-2011 (N=112,117 observations) and travel among youth residents from 2003-2008 (N=18,318 observations). Migration and travel were more common among young women than young men. One in five youth reported out-migration. Over time, out-migration increased among youth and in-migration remained largely stable. Primary reasons for migration included work, living with friends or family, and marriage. Recent travel within Uganda was common and increased slightly over time in teen women (15-19 years old), and young adult men and women (20-24 years old). Mobile youth were more likely to report HIV risk behaviours including: alcohol use, sexual experience, multiple partners, and inconsistent condom use. Our findings suggest that among rural Ugandan youth, mobility is increasingly common and associated with HIV risk factors. Knowledge of patterns and characteristics of a young, high-risk mobile population has important implications for HIV interventions.

The HIV care continuum among resident and non‐resident populations found in venues in East Africa cross‐border areas

“…The East Africa Cross Border Integrated Health Study (CBIHS) offers a rare opportunity to assess outcomes along the HIV care continuum for people living, working and socializing in cross‐border areas, including highly mobile cross‐border priority populations who are typically excluded from traditional epidemiologic studies implemented using household‐based surveys. Because such groups likely access services differently and face distinct sets of health risk factors from “resident” populations (i.e. those with a primary residence at the cross‐border area), we estimate the HIV care continuum and progress towards the 90‐90‐90 targets separately for resident and non‐resident groups.…”

Geographic mobility and potential bridging for sexually transmitted infections in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

“…Broad population movement can influence infectious disease transmission (e.g. colonization and smallpox among Native Americans); however, short-term migration and travel can also influence how individuals within and between populations form and dissolve relationships over space and time (Camlin et al, 2013; Frye et al, 2014; Schuyler et al, 2015). Sexual behavior and partnership characteristics of mobile individuals could contribute to ongoing infectious disease transmission within or across networks, or foil prevention efforts in geographically distinct sub-populations.…”

Migration and health at older age in rural Malawi

“…Although migration data are limited, populations in SSA have been considered more mobile compared to those of other regions (Byerlee, 1974; Nkamleu & Fox, 2006; UNECA, 2006). Short- and long-term moves are relatively common in many SSA countries (Boerma et al, 2002; Coffee et al, 2005; Kahn et al, 2007), and recent studies have documented increasing rates of migration in some countries (Kahn et al, 2007; Schuyler et al, 2015). …”