title: Circular migration by Mexican female sex workers who are injection drug users: implications for HIV in Mexican sending communities.
abstract: Circular migration and injection drug use increase the risk of HIV transmission in sending communities. We describe female sex workers who are injection drug users' (FSW-IDUs) circular migration and drug use behaviors. Between 2008-2010, 258 migrant FSW-IDUs residing in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico responded to questionnaires. 24% of FSW-IDUs were circular migrants. HIV prevalence was 3.2% in circular migrants and 6.1% in non-circular migrants; 50% of circular and 75% of non-circular migrants were unaware of their HIV infection. Among circular migrants, 44% (n = 27) consumed illicit drugs in their birthplace; 74% of these (n = 20) injected drugs and one-half of injectors shared injection equipment in their birthplace. Women reporting active social relationships were significantly more likely to return home. Circular migrant FSW-IDUs exhibit multiple HIV risks and opportunities for bridging populations. Regular HIV testing and treatment and access to substance use services is critical for FSW-IDUs and their sexual/drug-using contacts.
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, UCSD School of Medicine, Institute of the Americas, University of California, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. vojeda@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Victoria D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Ojeda
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burgos
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hiller
authors.forename: Remedios
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lozada
authors.forename: Gudelia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rangel
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vera
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Artamonova
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magis-Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D060386:Sex Workers; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires