HIV knowledge, self-perception of HIV risk, and sexual risk behaviors among male Tajik labor migrants who inject drugs in Moscow

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 24; no. 1; p. 156
• Main Authors: Luc, Casey Morgan, Levy, Judith, Bahromov, Mahbat, Jonbekov, Jonbek, Mackesy-Amiti, Mary E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 11.01.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Alien labor; Condoms; Cross-sectional studies; Demographic aspects; Depression, Mental; Diaspora; Discrimination against AIDS virus carriers; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Drug use; Drugs; Female; Females; Health aspects; Health risks; HIV; HIV (Viruses); HIV infection; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Risk Self-Perception, HIV Knowledge, Psychosocial Factors; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immune system; Injection drug use; Interviews; Knowledge; Labor; Loneliness; Male; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Mental depression; Migrant labor; Migrant workers; Migrants; Moscow - epidemiology; Perception; Police; Psychiatric services; Public opinion; Regression analysis; Regression models; Risk factors; Risk perception; Risk taking; Self Concept; Self image; Sex Workers; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual intercourse; Sexual Partners; Sexual risk behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Stigma; Tajik migrant worker; Transients and Migrants; Moscow; Russia; Iran; Sexual risk behavior; HIV Risk Self-Perception, HIV Knowledge, Psychosocial Factors; Tajik migrant worker; Injection drug use
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17543-1

The interplay of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge and self-perception of risk for HIV among people who inject drugs is complex and understudied, especially among temporary migrant workers who inject drugs (MWID) while in a host country. In Russia, Tajik migrants make up the largest proportion of Moscow's foreign labor. Yet, HIV knowledge and self-perceived risk in association with sexual risk behavior among male Tajik MWID in Moscow remains unknown. This research examines knowledge about HIV transmission, self-perception of HIV risk, and key psychosocial factors that possibly contribute to sexual risk behaviors among male Tajik labor MWID living in Moscow. Structured interviews were conducted with 420 male Tajik labor MWID. Modified Poisson regression models investigated possible associations between major risk factors and HIV sexual risk behavior. Of the 420 MWID, 255 men (61%) reported sexual activity in the last 30 days. Level of HIV knowledge was not associated in either direction with condom use or risky sexual partnering, as measured by sex with multiple partners or female sex workers (FSW). Lower self-perceived HIV risk was associated with a greater likelihood of sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.40) and FSW (aPR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.59), but was not associated with condom use. Police-enacted stigma was associated with sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and FSW (aPR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.54). While depression and lower levels of loneliness were associated with condomless sex (aPR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.24; aPR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.92, respectively), only depression was associated with condomless sex with FSW (aPR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.54). HIV prevention programing for male Tajik MWID must go beyond solely educating about factors associated with HIV transmission to include increased awareness of personal risk based on engaging in these behaviors. Additionally, psychological services to counter depression and police-enacted stigma are needed.