IOM’s research aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the HIV dynamics of labour migration in the region. Research findings are used to develop evidence-based programmes, to influence policy makers and to inform the wider public.Research looks particularly at the link between labour migration and concurrent sexual partnerships and sexual networking.To ensure that there is a cadre of researchers working on HIV and population in southern Africa, IOM is developing and strengthening relationships with research institutions in the region. IOM seeks to integrate migration and population mobility issues into public health and other developmental courses taught by different institutions in the region.
Recent Research Activities:
Intergrated Biological and Behavioural Study - Hoedspruit 2008
In January 2008, IOM with its partner the Hoedspruit Training Trust (HTT) undertook an Integrated Biological and Behavioural Study (IBBS) on 10 farms in the Hoedspruit area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This was the first such study conducted with farm workers in southern Africa. It thus provides employees, employers as well as policy makers with a more accurate picture of the epidemic in the agricultural sector and will assist HTT to focus their efforts where it’s most needed.
The study involved 1500 farm workers and managers who all volunteered to participate. The study found that farm workers are highly vulnerable to HIV: 28.5% of the farm workers surveyed are infected with HIV. Female workers were significantly more at risk than their male counterparts (32.5% vs. 21%).
The anonymous HIV prevalence survey was linked to a behavioural questionnaire so as to better understand the relationship between HIV and various social, economic, mobility factors that are prevalent on commercial farms.
Dr. Clive Evian, who conducted the survey, said that the results were indicative of a “serious epidemic” and highlighted the need to strengthen the current HIV testing, care and support services.
Key findings from the IBBS are:
Mobility and Migration
The study found that the relationship between HIV vulnerability and mobility/migration is a complex one. Two issues were explored – long commuting time (living away from the workplace) and living away from family members. First, the study found that 32% of the female employees who live away from the workplace are HIV-positive, which is significantly higher than their male counterparts (17.9%). Second, women living away from their families appear to be at higher risk of HIV infection than men, with prevalence rates of 35% and 25.7% respectively.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
The prevalence of STIs appears to be an important determinant in the prevalence of HIV infection, as a high proportion of employees (19%) who reported having an STI in the past year have a significantly higher prevalence of HIV than employees who did not report an STI event. Although many more male workers than female workers reported an STI event, female workers with an STI have a higher HIV prevalence than their male counterparts, which confirms that females are at increased vulnerability to HIV infection.
Marital and Relationship Status
Seventy-seven percent (77%) of all employees are married or in a long-term relationship. The study shows that marriage and long-term relationships have an impact on HIV risk. Married males were found to have a higher HIV prevalence than unmarried males. On the other hand, single female workers have a higher HIV prevalence than married females. Single females have a significantly higher HIV prevalence than single males (43.5% and 12.8% respectively).
Knowing your HIV Status
A very low proportion of employees (38%) know their HIV status. The study found that employees who know their status have a higher HIV prevalence than those who do not. Only 44% of the HIV-positive employees know their status, which indicates that there are a significant number of HIV-positive people who do not know their status.
Condom Use
Reported condom use was found to be low; of all employees, a quarter reported never using a condom, and 22% of these people are HIV-positive. A high proportion (25%) of HIV-positive employees who know their status reported never using a condom (compared to 38% of HIV-negative employees).
Male Circumcision
Almost 80% of the male employees reported to have been circumcised, 51% as a child and 28% as an adult. The study supports the contention that male circumcision provides some protection against HIV transmission, but only for those who were circumcised as a child. There was no significant protective effect for those circumcised as an adult.
A report of this study can be downloaded from here.
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