Mumbai disease in far western Nepal: HIV infection and syphilis among male migrant‐returnees and non‐migrants

Abstract

Summaryobjective To measure the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis, and to assess the behavioural risk factors for these infections among migrant-returnees and non-migrants in far western Nepal.methods In April 2001, we recruited 97 male migrant-returnees and 40 non-migrants from five rural villages in Doti district where migration to Mumbai is common. For data collection, we conducted a serological examination for HIV and syphilis, and a perception and behaviour survey on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.results We found that 11 of 137 men (8%) were positive for HIV infection and 30 men (22%) for syphilis. The respondents, especially the migrant-returnees from Mumbai, were engaging in risky behaviours such as pre-or extramarital sex, and sex with multiple partners, including sex workers.conclusions This study revealed high HIV and syphilis prevalence among the male migrant-returnees and non-migrants in far western Nepal where migration to Mumbai is common. The prevalent behaviours, particularly among the migrant-returnees, imply urgent needs of the behavioural modification programme in this area to prevent the spread of HIV infection to general population.

Profile of HIV infected children: A hospital based study at Eastern Nepal

“…In one study done in Nepal, Poudel et al found high HIV prevalence among male migrant-returnees in Nepal where migration to India for work is common [11] . The prevalent risk behaviours like unsafe sex among migrant workers and sharing of needle among intravenous drug users imply urgent need of the behavioural modification programme in this area to prevent the spread of HIV infection to general population and children.…”

“…Weight for height or height for age or body mass index for age between -2 to -3 SD score was classified as moderate undernutrition and SD score below -3 was classified as severe undernutrition [6] . Anemia was defined as Hb <11.0 g/dL in children 6 months to 59 months of age or <11.5 g/dL in children [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] years or <12.0 g/dL in children 12 to 14 years of age as per WHO guideline for diagnosis of anemia [8] .…”

Knowing is Not Enough: Migrant Workers’ Spouses Vulnerability to HIV

“…22 Regarding an association with education, NDHS suggested that younger Nepalese women were more likely to have knowledge about HIV and its prevention measures. 19 An association between HIV knowledge and longer migration period of husbands may be because longer stay increases the likelihood of indulging in extra-marital sex 23 and being aware of this situation migrants' wives might become interested to gain knowledge on HIV.…”

Serum Zinc Concentration and C-Reactive Protein in Individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: the Positive Living with HIV (POLH) Study

“…Information on socio-demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, smoking, alcohol intake, and ART was collected adopting the instruments from previous studies in Nepal [60][61][62][63]. ART type and adherence were collected according to the current use of medication at the time of the survey.…”