Targeting vulnerable populations: a synthetic review on alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among migrant populations.
BACKGROUND
Research has demonstrated a link between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among different types of migrant populations. Therefore, research investigating risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among them is a public health priority. This review aimed to explore the intersection between migration, alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour.


METHODS
This article is a synthetic review of empirical studies on the association of alcohol and high-risk sexual behaviour among different types of the migrant populations, focusing on measurable outcomes generated from quantitative data. A descriptive analysis generated from global and situational studies was used to interpret the reviewed research and to discuss critically the factors that drive migrants to engage in alcohol consumption and high-risk behaviour.


RESULTS
This review found out that there is a significant and positive association between global and situational alcohol use and several outcomes of risky sexual behaviour among different types of migrant populations. This association was however mainly observed at high quantities and frequencies of alcohol use, mainly among male migrants, and was often tied to a specific situation or context, for instance the type of sexual partner, the level of mobility and to environmental factors such as living arrangements and entertainment venues.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports previous research that alcohol use is associated with risky sexual behaviour among different types of migrant populations. Therefore, future interventions should target mobile, male migrant heavy drinkers. Additional research is needed using more event-level and longitudinal methodologies that overcome prior methodological limitations.
Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, University of Antwerp City Campus, Prinsstraat 13, Antwerp, Belgium ; Linde, 10, 1840 Londerzeel, Belgium.
Emilia Maria Vaz
EM
Martins-Fonteyn
Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, University of Antwerp City Campus, Prinsstraat 13, Antwerp, Belgium.
Nina
N
Sommerland
Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, University of Antwerp City Campus, Prinsstraat 13, Antwerp, Belgium.
Herman
H
Meulemans
International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Olivier
O
Degomme
Faculty of Social Sciences, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
Ines
I
Raimundo
Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, University of Antwerp City Campus, Prinsstraat 13, Antwerp, Belgium.
Edwin
E
Wouters
Alcohol use; Migrant populations; Risky sexual behaviour
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