Migration and HIV: an epidemiological study of Montrealers of Haitian origin.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risk factors among Montrealers of Haitian origin. We carried out a voluntary, anonymous survey in 7 primary care medical clinics in Montreal among 5039 persons aged 15 to 49 years born in Haiti or with at least one parent born in Haiti. The participation rate was 94.3%. Overall, HIV prevalence was 1.3% (1.6% in men and 1.1% in women). The HIV prevalence was lower among those born in Canada or who had resided in Canada longer. The prevalence among subjects who had travelled to Haiti in the previous 5 years was 2.0%, twice the rate of those who had not. The adjusted population attributable fraction of HIV infections associated with having had unprotected sex in Haiti was 10.2%. This study identified risk factors which will help in the design of more effective prevention programmes among Montrealers of Haitian origin.

Many voices: sociocultural results of the ethnocultural communities facing AIDS study in Canada

This paper presents the results of Phase 11 of the Ethnocultural Communities facing AIDS Study, the sociocultural investigation of factors contributing to risk behaviour associated wih HIV/AIDS in six ethnocultural communities in Canada in three urban sites. In Vancouver, the South Asian and Chinese communities were studied, the Horn of Africa and English-speaking Caribbean communities in Toronto and the Latin American and Arab-speaking communities in Montreal. Results demonstrated that there are common elements across these ethnocultural communities that increase the risk for HIV transmission. HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in ethnocultural communities must address sociocultural differences, particularly sex role differences between men and women in terms of power within relationships to negotiate for safer sexual practices (AU).

Aids-related knowledge and practices in migrant populations: the case of Montrealers of Haitian origin.

The objectives of the study were to determine knowledge levels regarding AIDS and its modes of transmission, and to describe sexual behaviour of Montrealers of Haitian origin. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted in three phases between 1987 and 1990. A questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview with the exception of the section concerning sexual practices which was self-administered for those respondents who were literate in French. The study was conducted among 775 men and women residing in the metropolitan Montreal region. These individuals were aged 15 to 39, were born in Haiti or had at least one parent born in Haiti. Knowledge levels were high except for misconceptions about HIV transmission through casual contact and mosquito bites. There was a significant association between high risk sexual behaviour and marital status with the odds of having had multiple partners significantly raised for previously married individuals (OR = 5.96, 95% CI = 3.09; 11.50). High risk behaviour was also associated with being under 25 years of age (OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.40; 5.74), knowing someone with HIV/AIDS (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.05; 3.37), being male (OR = 6.81, 95% CI = 3.99; 11.60) and earlier year of interview. Montrealers of Haitian origin, with their specific AIDS-related socio-cultural characteristics, constitute a community which is intermediate between their country of origin, Haiti, and their host country, Canada.

[Utilization of qualitative and quantitative methods to study the attitudes and beliefs related to AIDS in a Montreal population of Haitian origin]. / Utilisation de méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives pour étudier les attitudes et croyances reliées au sida chez les Montréalais d'origine Haïtienne.

To determine attitudes and beliefs related to AIDS among the population of metropolitan Montreal of Haitian origin, we conducted serial cross-sectional surveys between 1987 and 1990 among a random sample of 777 men and women aged 15 to 39. Data on perceived risk of AIDS and attitudes towards HIV testing were collected in home settings using a combination of face-to-face structured interviews and a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine predictors of attitudes towards people with HIV. The fear of being infected with HIV is great in this population. The social representation of illness in this community is very much influenced by religious beliefs. Scores for the five-item scale suggest only moderately favourable attitudes towards persons with HIV compared to Montrealers in general. Attitudes towards persons with AIDS were positively associated with years of schooling and a higher perceived risk of getting infected (p < or = 0.01).