good information on HIV and migrant farmworkers

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CALIFORNIA:

“HIV on the Rise Among Migrants”

Los Angeles Times (11.02.04)::Sharon Bernstein

New studies by the University of California's AIDS research program

suggest that HIV infections are rising at a significant rate among

migrant Mexican workers. A study of 600 migrant workers in Fresno and San

Diego counties indicates that as many as 1 percent of the workers, or

about 20,000 people, are HIV-infected. The UC researchers said this is

more than triple the rate of HIV infection in the general US and Mexican

populations. In addition, the rate of HIV infection among women giving

birth at Tijuana General Hospital was four times that of the general

population of either country.

Dr. Lemp, head of the Universitywide AIDS Research Program and

co-author of two articles in the current supplemental edition of the

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, said that while previous

data suggested AIDS “was remaining stable in Mexico, and that it was a

fairly minimal problem among migrants,” the new data show that “HIV

infection is potentially on the threshold of rapid increase in this

population…. If behavior change doesn't occur and there is no

intervention, then we would expect some exponential growth in the number

of people infected.”

Researchers say that Mexican male migrants typically contract HIV in the

United States, usually through sex with other men. Syringes used to

inject vitamins or antibiotics are another source of transmission.

Whereas clean needles are available over the counter in Mexico, migrants

in the United States are more likely to share syringes because they

cannot easily be purchased. Upon returning to Mexico, the men may pass

HIV to their wives or girlfriends.

The research shows that in 2000, Latinos accounted for 34.2 percent of

AIDS cases in California, though they comprised 30.8 percent of the

population. According to

Gunther Freehill of the Los Angeles County AIDS Office, Latinos now

account for 40 percent of the county's AIDS cases, whites for 39 percent,

and African Americans for 21 percent.

Lemp said finding and treating rural workers with HIV/AIDS can be

especially difficult, as it involves winning the trust of people outside

mainstream society and convincing them to discuss sexual matters. Ongoing

treatment is almost impossible: Migrants are typically uninsured and move

every few weeks to follow the crops.

The Nov. 1 supplemental edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndromes (Vol. 37; Supplement 4) includes the following

reports on this topic: “HIV/AIDS Among Mexican Migrants and Recent

Immigrants in California and Mexico” (S203); “The Epidemiology of HIV

Among Mexican Migrants and Recent Immigrants in California and Mexico”

(S204-S214); “Migration and AIDS in Mexico: An Overview Based on Recent

Evidence” (S215-S226); “HIV Prevention with Mexican Migrants: Review,

Critique, and Recommendations” (S227-S239); “HIV Health Care Services for

Mexican Migrants” (S240-S251); and “Policy Perspectives on Public Health

for Mexican Migrants in California” (S252-S259).

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Cesar Chavez: " It's ironic that

those who till the soil, cultivate and harvest the fruits, vegetables,

and other foods that fill your tables with abundance have nothing left

for themselves. "

Maya Angelou: " If you don't like something, change it. If you can't

change it, change your attitude. Don't complain. "

Alayne Unterberger, MA

Executive Director, Florida Institute for Community Studies, Inc.

(FICS)

Main contact: (813) 477-2882 (cell) or (813) 248-3427 (248.FICS)

(office)

FAX: (813) 248-3230 E-mail:

alayne@... Website:

www.ficsinc.org