Migration and mobility: correlates of recent HIV testing among female sex workers at the Mexico-Guatemala border. HIV testing among FSW in this region remains suboptimal due in part to stigma and limited access to health services. There is a lack of understanding of how migration may be associated with HIV testing among FSW in highly mobile contexts. The aim of this research is to understand the role of migration and mobility experiences in influencing HIV testing in the past year among FSW living at the Mexico-Guatemala border.
Methods: Using modified time-location sampling we recruited FSW in four communities i. Upon written consent, we conducted face-to-face interviews to obtain information on sociodemographics, migration and mobility experiences, and HIV testing in the past year. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to evaluate relationships. Conclusions: FSWs in this setting face low HIV testing access and population-specific approaches addressing structural factors to address potential testing barriers.
Tailored outreach to highly mobile women - particularly those engaging in short-term work-related mobility - may facilitate access to voluntary testing for this underserved and marginalized population. Findings from this study may inform future research considering migration and mobility to address HIV prevention in other settings.
