Abstract #3494 - Community-based participatory research with migrants for HIV prevention : worth the trouble?
Authors:
Presenting Author:
PhD Christiana Noestlinger - Institute of Tropical MedicineAim:
In many European countries, a large part of all new heterosexual HIV infections has been diagnosed among persons originating from high endemic regions. Migration trajectories and structural factors impact on the transmission of HIV among migrants and ethnic minorities, while at the same time posing challenges for these communities in accessing prevention, HIV-testing and care. Socio-economic vulnerabilities may also result in low prevention demand and render these communities ‘hard-to-reach’ for service-delivery and research. Community-based, participatory research approaches have proven to be able to overcome such barriers, but putting them in practice can be challenging. It requires systematically adopting participatory methods throughout the full research process, from its preparation to interpretation of data to dissemination of the results. This presentation will discuss the lessons learned from recently concluded research adopting a participatory action research approach to collect second generation surveillance (using the example of the Belgian ‘Together’ study, ie. an HIV prevalence study among sub-Saharan African migrants using oral fluid testing in Antwerp City). Through closely working with the affected communities, second generation surveillance can be conducted while at the same time mobilizing the community, increasing prevention demand and the acceptance of HIV testing. Conclusions will be drawn on the strengths and limitations of participatory approaches with migrant and ethnic minority communities.Go Back