HIV/STD Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Migrant and Non-Migrant Males of Achham District in Far-Western Nepal Volume – I

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY : This study was carried out to determine HIV/STIs prevalence rates among both migrants and non-migrants males from four VDCs around the Sanfebagar valley of Achham district in far-western Nepal. The objectives of this study were also to measure the extent of relationship between the prevalence rates and risk behavior and to ascertain the extent of linkage between migration and HIV/STI transmission in the area. Data for this study was collected from a total of 610 males who were from 800 randomly selected households. From all respondents an oral informed consent was taken before conducting the individual interviews in a private setting. The pathological tests of the specimens were carried out in the central laboratories of SACTS Kathmandu and Auroprobe New Delhi. This sample represents a heterogeneous group of people of the area in terms of their migratory status, socio-demography characteristics and behavior. A little more than one-thirds of them were international migrants who had migrated outside Nepal, specifically India, while over 44 percent were non-migrants. About 16 percent of the participants were those who had never been outside the country but had moved to other districts within the country for employment or study purposes.