Abstract
Labor migrants are those of the at-risk groups for HIV. This cross-sectional study has tried to examine HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Nepalese returnee male labor migrants. Migrant workers who have worked at least six months abroad were asked different questions related to sexual behavior, knowledge on HIV/AIDS & condom and HIV/AIDS-related stigma. Stigma was measured on a three-point rating scale as high, average and low stigma. About 58% of migrants had the view “I would rather not know if I have HIV” followed by “I don’t want to be friends with people living with HIV” (53.6% migrants) and “people with HIV are cursed” (35.5% migrants). High stigma was present among 15.5% of the total respondents with high proportion among those with higher age, lower education, rural residence, and no knowledge on Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) service. About a quarter of respondents were of the view that migrants infected with HIV while abroad should not be allowed to return Nepal. Some level of stigma on HIV/AIDS exists among male labor migrants in Nepal. Interventions aiming at reducing stigma should consider the factors like migrants’ age, education, place of residence and knowledge on VCT services.
Highlights
Migration is as an essential and inevitable component of the economic and social life of every state [1]
According to National Centre for AIDS and STD Control [7] 2011 in Nepal, male labor migrants accounted for 27% of the total HIV infections [7]
A cross-sectional study was done from September 2009 to February 2010 among 110 Nepalese male labor migrants returning after at least 6 months of work experience from any of the countries or areas: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei, Macao, Saipan, South Korea, Kosovo, Latvia, the Seychelles and South Africa within 3 months to 2 years from date of interview were included
Summary
Migration is as an essential and inevitable component of the economic and social life of every state [1]. Nepal today is well recognized as the country of origin for labor migrants mainly to the Gulf Cooperation Council and Malaysia. Ministry of Labor and Transport management in Nepal estimates that at current there are 3 million Nepali people under foreign employment and approximately 900 migrant workers leave the country for overseas employment everyday [4]. Among different Most At Risk Population (MARP) for HIV in Nepal [6], male labor migrants and the clients of FSW are the important bridging population that transmits HIV from high risk group to the general population. According to National Centre for AIDS and STD Control [7] 2011 in Nepal, male labor migrants accounted for 27% of the total HIV infections [7].
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