HIV incidence among non-migrating persons following a household migration event: a population-based, longitudinal study in Uganda

September 24, 2023 by
Peace Mirembe (V3locity)

Young R, Ssekasanvu J, Kagaayi J, Ssekubugu R, Kigozi G, Reynolds SJ, Wawer MJ, Nonyane BAS, Nantume B, Quinn TC, Tobian AAR, Santelli J, Chang LW, Kennedy CE, Paina L, Anglewicz PA, Serwadda D, Nalugoda F, Grabowski MK. HIV incidence among non-migrating persons following a household migration event: a population-based, longitudinal study in Uganda. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Sep 25:2023.09.23.23295865. doi: 10.1101/2023.09.23.23295865. PMID: 37808671; PMCID: PMC10557776. 


Abstract

Background: 

The impact of migration on HIV risk among non-migrating household members is poorly understood. We measured HIV incidence among non-migrants living in households with and without migrants in Uganda.

Methods: 

We used four survey rounds of data collected from July 2011-May 2018 from non-migrant participants aged 15-49 years in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, an open, population-based cohort. Non-migrants were individuals with no evidence of migration between surveys or at the prior survey. The primary exposure, household migration, was assessed using census data and defined as ≥1 household member migrating in or out of the house from another community between surveys (∼18 months). Incident HIV cases tested positive following a negative result at the preceding visit. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations and robust standard errors. Analyses were stratified by gender, migration into or out of the household, and the relationship between non-migrants and migrants (i.e., any household migration, spouse, child).

Findings: 

Overall, 11,318 non-migrants (5,674 women) were followed for 37,320 person-years. 28% (6,059/21,370) of non-migrant person-visits had recent migration into or out of the household, and 240 HIV incident cases were identified in non-migrating household members. Overall, non-migrants in migrant households were not at greater risk of acquiring HIV. However, HIV incidence among men was significantly higher when the spouse had recently migrated in (adjIRR:2·12;95%CI:1·05-4·27) or out (adjIRR:4·01;95%CI:2·16-7·44) compared to men with no spousal migration. Women with in- and out-migrant spouses also had higher HIV incidence, but results were not statistically significant.

Interpretation: 

HIV incidence is higher among non-migrating persons with migrant spouses, especially men. Targeted HIV testing and prevention interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis could be considered for those with migrant spouses.

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