Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. An increased risk of contracting HIV infection, suboptimal adherence, and a loss to follow-up have been observed in migrants, particularly if those individuals are transgender or sex workers. A clear picture of the HIV epidemic among migrants is complex due to the lack of specific national data.
We developed a qualitative study that describes the barriers and facilitators cultural, social, and personal in HIV testing and the continuum of care for a group of migrant transgender women who are sex workers. A semi-structured interview was conducted with a group of migrant transgender women who are sex workers living with HIV or with unknown HIV serostatus residing in the Florentine metropolitan area. Among barriers, the perceived stigma due to their identity as migrants and transgender people, the language lack of ability and the legal position in the host country played a significant role.
Moreover, the interviewees claimed having no alternative to sex work: for those individuals, changing their lifestyle condition is perceived as difficult or impossible due to social prejudices. Keywords: access to care, HIV, illness experience, Italy, qualitative research, sex worker, transgender. HIV remains a significant global public health issue.
Since the beginning of the epidemic In , people died from HIV-related causes globally, while approximately Migrants represent two-fifths of the HIV cases reported in Europe and have a higher rate of late HIV presentation and loss to follow-up. Hernando et al. Complex layers of intrapersonal and interpersonal barriers and the healthcare policy of the host country interplay and those factors could place migrants in social, economic, and political exclusion situations.
The resulting isolation and stress may lead migrants to engage in risky behavior, such as condomless sex or illicit drug use.
