Sexual Health of Haitian Immigrants in Southern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Some specific groups, such as immigrants, are considered at significantly high risk of developing poor sexual health (SH), specifically in relation to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, despite the high number of Haitian immigrants living in southern Brazil, a study that assessed the SH of these immigrants has not been conducted yet. Objective: This study aimed to assess the sexual health of Haitian immigrants in southern Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 201 adult Haitian immigrants of both sexes, living in southern Brazil. A self-applied questionnaire containing sociodemographic questions and SH and behaviors was used to collect data. Data were collected on paper or through online form. Findings: Of the 201 immigrants included in the study, the majority were men (58.06%). There was no difference in the mean age (30 years) between both sexes. More than half were married with a partner (a) (53.29%), and 69.89% had an average educational level. Although an association between the reported STIs and the variables considered as risk factors or behaviors for STIs was not reported, women reported a frequency of 33.80% for self-declared active STIs and a frequency of 66.20% for lifelong STIs; these frequencies are highly superior in women compared to men. Additionally, 55.33% of women also reported not using a condom in their last sexual intercourse, and 35.10% reported changing their sexual behaviors after immigrating. Conclusions: The high frequency of STIs reported by Haitian immigrant women indicates the need to implement STI tracking strategies in that population. This study can assist in the development of comprehensive healthcare policies for Haitian immigrants.

Percepciones sobre el uso del condón en migrantes haitianos en la frontera noroeste de México

“…Se vuelve imperante destacar que existe la percepción del estigma ante el VIH en el contexto social de Haití; en los miembros de la comunidad migrante, se vislumbran acciones de señalamiento, acoso y desapego, las cuales, pueden promover el desarrollo del estigma hacia las personas que viven con esta enfermedad; aunque esto coincide con la literatura previa, es de importancia considerar que un mayor conocimiento puede ser el precursor para la disminución de representaciones negativas sobre el VIH 21,22 , situación que fortalece la idea de desarrollar intervenciones adaptadas culturalmente para esta población. Respecto a esto, la literatura sobre la temática en países en los que la comunidad migrante haitiana está presente, reporta la persistencia de acciones sentidas de discriminación y agresión a portadores del virus, ya sean desde el contexto familiar y/o social 7 .…”

“…Aunado a ello, la literatura reporta que la personas migrantes originarias de Haití presentan conductas de riesgo al VIH, como lo son las relaciones sexuales sin el uso del condón con más de una pareja sexual, consumo de drogas, no percepción del riesgo, sexo transaccional y la poca información educativa sobre la de prevención de las ITS/VIH desde una visión de respeto a la diversidad cultural 6 . Abordajes de la salud sexual de hombres migrantes haitianos en Brasil, refieren que poco más del 47%, no utilizó condón en su última relación sexual 7 ; en Chile, se reporta una mayor incidencia de VIH en personas migrantes haitianas en comparación con otras poblaciones migrantes, lo que representa 0.77 casos nuevos anuales por cada 100,000 habitantes 8 .…”