Differential Effects of Migration and Deportation on HIV Infection among Male and Female Injection Drug Users in Tijuana, Mexico

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002690
• Publication Date: 2008-07-29T16:28:10Z
• Authors: Steffanie A. Stra...; Remedios Lozada; Victoria D. Ojeda; Robin A. Pollini; Kimberly C. Brouwer; Alicia Vera; Wayne Cornelius; Lucie Nguyen; Carlos Magis-Rodr...; Thomas L. Patterson
• Keywords: Odds; Deportation

HIV prevalence is rising, especially among high risk females in Tijuana, Baja California, a Mexico-US border city situated on major migration and drug trafficking routes. We compared factors associated with infection male female injection users (IDUs) Tijuana an effort to inform prevention treatment programs. IDUs aged ≥18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling underwent testing for HIV, syphilis structured interviews. Logistic regression identified correlates of infection, stratified by gender. Among 1056 IDUs, most Mexican-born but 67% born outside Tijuana. Reasons moving included deportation from the US (56% males, 29% females), looking work/better life (34% females, 15% males). was higher versus males (10.2% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.001). (N 158), independently younger age, lifetime living longer durations. 898), titers consistent active being arrested having 'track-marks', larger numbers recent partners shorter An interaction between gender number lived regressed significant (p 0.03). Upon further analysis, U.S. explained association duration males; odds four-fold injectors deported US, other adjusting all 0.002). Geographic mobility has profound influence Tijuana's evolving epidemic, its impact significantly modified Future studies are needed elucidate context acquisition this region, whether immigration policies adversely affect risk.