Perceived risk of HIV infection among deported male injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract

Deported injection drug users (IDUs) in Mexico may be vulnerable to HIV infection following expulsion from the USA. We examined factors associated with HIV risk perception among a sample of deportees in Tijuana. From January to April 2010, 313 male IDUs who reported ever being deported from the USA completed a questionnaire. Overall, 35% (N = 110) of deportees perceived HIV risk. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, factors independently associated with HIV risk perception included ever having a steady female partner in Tijuana post-deportation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–5.07) and years spent in a US prison (AOR: 1.29 per year; 95% CI: 1.13–1.48). Conversely, years of drug injection use (AOR: 0.95 per year; 95% CI: 0.91–0.99), ever witnessing family members use drugs prior to first migration trip (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09–0.65), years of residence in the USA (AOR: 0.91 per year; 95% CI: 0.84–0.98) and being a Tijuana native (AOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.16–0.99) were negatively associated with HIV risk perception. US–Mexico border cities that receive deported migrants should target HIV prevention interventions to specific subgroups, including drug-using male deportees. Interventions should consider migrant's time in the USA, the role of their social networks, and reducing missed opportunities for HIV testing/education.

Keywords:

• HIV risk perception
• Mexico
• deportees
• migrants
• injection drug use
• US–Mexico border

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to our study participants for sharing their time and experiences with us. Without them, this study would not have been possible.

Funding

This research was supported by funding from the California HIV/AIDS Research Programme [grant number ID08-SD-073]; the National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Drug Abuse grants [R37DA019829], [K01DA025504], [R01DA019829], [R36DA032376], [R37DA019829-S1], [T32AI007384]; the National Institute of Mental Health [K01MH095680]; the Fogarty International Centre AIDS International Training Research Programme [D43TW 008633] and the UC GloCal Fellowship [R25TW009343]; and the University of California Global Health Institute.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This research was supported by funding from the California HIV/AIDS Research Programme [grant number ID08-SD-073]; the National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Drug Abuse grants [R37DA019829], [K01DA025504], [R01DA019829], [R36DA032376], [R37DA019829-S1], [T32AI007384]; the National Institute of Mental Health [K01MH095680]; the Fogarty International Centre AIDS International Training Research Programme [D43TW 008633] and the UC GloCal Fellowship [R25TW009343]; and the University of California Global Health Institute.