Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Trauma Exposure, PTSD, and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors among Labor Migrants from Tajikistan

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Little is known about the role of trauma and PTSD symptoms in the context of migration-associated HIV risk behaviors. A survey of Tajik married male seasonal labor migrants in Moscow was completed by 200 workers from 4 bazaars and 200 workers from 18 construction sites as part of a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) study. The mean PC-PTSD score was 1.2 with one-quarter of migrants scoring at or above the cutoff of 3 indicating likely PTSD diagnosis. PC-PTSD score was directly correlated with both direct and indirect trauma exposure, but PC-PTSD score did not predict either HIV sexual risk behaviors or HIV protective behaviors. HIV sexual risk behavior was associated with higher indirect trauma exposure. PC-PTSD score was associated with some indicators of increased caution (e.g., more talking with partners about HIV and condoms; more use of condom when drinking). Qualitative findings were used to illustrate the differences between direct and indirect traumas in terms of HIV sexual risk. The study findings call for future efforts to address labor migrant’s mental health needs and to integrate trauma dimensions into HIV prevention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anderson AF, Qingsi Z, Hua X, Jianfeng B. China’s floating population and the potential for HIV transmission: a social-behavioural perspective. AIDS Care. 2003;15(2):177–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Fitzgerald K, Chakraborty J, Shah T, Khuder S, Duggan J. HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception among female migrant farm workers in the midwest. J Immigr Health. 2003;5(1):29–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Li L, Morrow M, Kermode M. Vulnerable but feeling safe: HIV risk among male rural-to-urban migrant workers in Chengdu, China. AIDS Care. 2007;19(10):1288–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Organista H, Carrillo H, Ayala G. HIV prevention with Mexican migrants: Review, critique, and recommendations. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;37:S227–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wollfers I, Fernandez I, Verghis S, Vink M. Sexual behaviour and vulnerability of migrant workers for HIV infection. Cult Health Sex. 2002;4(4):459–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yang H, Li X, Stanton B, et al. Workplace and HIV-related sexual behaviours and perceptions among female migrant workers. AIDS Care. 2005;17(7):819–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kramer MA, van Veen MG, Op de Coul ELM, Geskus RB, Coutinho RA, van de Laar MJW, Prins M. Migrants travelling to their country of origin: a bridge population for HIV transmission? Sex Transm Infect. 2008;84:554–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lindert J, Ehrenstein OS, Priebe S, Mielck A, Brähler E. Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Sci Med. 2009;69(2):246–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lurie L. Psychiatric care in restricted conditions for work migrants, refugees and asylum seekers: experience of the open clinic for work migrants and refugees. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2009;46(3):172–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Steel J, Herlitz C, Matthews J, et al. Pre-migration trauma and HIV-risk behavior. Transcult Psychiatry. 2003;40(1):91–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. UNAIDS. Eastern Europe and Central Asia Fact Sheet. 2004. Geneva: United Nations. Retrieved September 21, 2011 from: http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/aids_epidemic_in_eastern_europe_and_central_asia.pdf.

  12. Kelly JA, Amirkhanian YA. The newest epidemic: a review of HIV/AIDS in Central and Eastern Europe. Int J STD AIDS. 2003;14(6):361–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Erlich A. From refugee sender to labor exporter. Migration information source. 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2010 from: http://www.migrationinformation.org.

  14. Olimova S, Bosc I. Labor Migration from Tajikistan. 2003. Geneva: International Organization on Migration. Retrieved November 29, 2010 from: http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/studies_and_reports/Tajik_study_oct_03.pdf.

  15. Shakarishvili A, Dubovskaya L, Zohrabyan L, et al. Sex work, drug use, HIV infection, and spread of sexually transmitted infections in Moscow. Russ Fed Lancet. 2005;366(9479):57–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Asia plus new agency (2011). HIV/AIDS rate rises in Tajikistan in 2010 Retrieved March 29, 2011 from: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/eurpro/moscow/news/2011/0121_2.htm.

  17. Luo J, Golobof A, Bahromov M, Weine S. Powerlessness and HIV risk and protection amongst labor migrants. Poster presented at the International AIDS Conference. 2008. Mexico City, Mexico.

  18. Weine SM, Bahromov M, Brisson A, Mizroev A. Unprotected Tajik migrant workers in Moscow at risk for HIV/AIDS. J Immigr Minor Health. 2008;10:461–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Collings SJ. Childhood sexual abuse in a sample of South African university males: Prevalence and risk factors. S Afr J Psychol. 1991;21(3):153–8.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kalichman SC, Gore-Felton C, Benotsch E, Cage M, Rompa D. Trauma symptoms, sexual behaviors, and substance abuse: correlates of childhood sexual abuse and HIV risks among men who have sex with men. J Child Sex Abus. 2004;13(1):1–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Boarts JM, Sledjeski EM, Bogart LM, Delahanty DL. The differential impact of PTSD and depression on HIV disease markers and adherence to HAART in people living with HIV. AIDS Behav. 2006;10(3):253–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Brown LK, Lourie KJ, Zlotnick C, Cohn J. Impact of sexual abuse on the HIV-risk-related behavior of adolescents in intensive psychiatric treatment. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157:1413–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Collins PY, Berkman A, Mestry K, Pillai A. HIV prevalence among men and women admitted to a South African public psychiatric hospital. AIDS Care. 2009;21(7):863–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Malow RM, Devieux JG, Martinez L, Peipman F, Lucenko BA, Kalichman SC. History of traumatic abuse and HIV risk behaviors in severely mentally ill substance abusing adults. J Fam Violence. 2006;21:127–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. VanDorn RA, Mustillo S, Elbogen EB, Dorsey S, Swanson JW, Swartz MS. The effects of early sexual abuse on adult risk sexual behaviors among persons with severe mental illness. Child Abuse Negl. 2005;29:1265–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wingood GM, DiClemente RJ. Child sexual abuse, HIV sexual risk, and gender relations of African-American women. Am J Prev Med. 1997;13(5):380–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Simoni JM, Sehgal S, Walters KL. Triangle of risk: urban American Indian women’s sexual trauma, injection drug use, and hiv sexual risk behaviors. AIDS Behav. 2004;8(1):33–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kimerling R, Goldsmith R. Links between exposure to violence and HIV-infection: Implications for substance abuse treatment with women. Alcohol Treat Q. 2000;18(3):61–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hutton HE, Treisman GJ, Hunt WR, et al. HIV risk behaviors and their relationship to post- traumatic stress disorder among women prisoners. Psychiatr Serv. 2001;42(4):508–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Catania JA, Paul J, Osmond D, et al. Mediators of childhood sexual abuse and high-risk sex among men-who-have-sex-with-men. Child Abuse Negl. 2008;32(10):925–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kelley JL, Petry NM. HIV risk behaviors in male substance abusers with and without antisocial personality disorder. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2000;19(1):59–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. McKirnan DJ, Ostrow DG, Hope B. Sex, drugs, and escape: a psychological model of HIV risk behavior. AIDS Care. 1996;8(6):655–69.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Berm SL. Gender schema theory: a cognitive account of sex typing. Psychol Rev. 1981;88:354–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Brettell C, Hollilfield JF, editors. Migration theory: talking across disciplines. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Weine SM, Feetham S, Kulauzovic Y, Besic S, Lezic A, Mujagic A, Muzurovic J, Spahovic D, Rolland J, Sclove S, Pavkovic S. A multiple-family group access intervention for refugee families with PTSD. J Marital Family Ther. 2008;34:149–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. McKay M, Chasse K, Paikoff R, et al. Family-level impact of the CHAMP family program: a community collaborative effort to support urban families and reduce youth HIV risk exposure. Fam Process. 2004;43(1):79–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Agadjanian V. War, forced migration, HIV/AIDS risks in Angola. US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 2004. (R03 HD45129).

  38. Organista KC, Kubo A. Pilot survey of HIV risk and contextual problems and issues in Mexican/Latino migrant day laborers. J Immigr Health. 2005;7(4):269–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Ware JE, Kosinski M, Keller SD. A 12-item short-form health survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Med Care. 1996;34(3):220–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Mollica R, Caspi-Yavin Y. Measuring torture and torture-related symptoms. Psychol Assess. 1991;3:1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Weine SM, Becker DF, McGlashan TH, et al. Psychiatric consequences of ethnic cleansing: clinical assessments and trauma testimonies of newly resettled bosnian refugees. Am J Psychiatry. 1995;152(4):536–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Prins A, Ouimette P, Kimerling R, et al. The primary care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD): development and operating characteristics. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2004;9(1):9–14.

    Google Scholar 

  43. SAS Institute Inc. SAS 9.1.3 Help and Documentation. 2000–2004. Cary: SAS Institute Inc.

  44. Creswell JW, Clark VP. Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publishers; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Corbin J, Strauss A. Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. California: Sage Publications; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Miles MB, Huberman AM. Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Muhr, T. (2004). ATLAS/ti 5.0 User’s Manual and Reference (Version 5.0). Berlin: Scientific Software Development.

  48. Kimerling R, Trafton J, Nguyen B. Validation of a brief screen for post-traumatic stress disorder with substance use disorder patients. Addict Behav. 2006;31(11):2074–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Eurasianet. Moscow market tragedy refocuses attention of Tajik labor migration issue. 2006. Retrieved July 27, 2009 from http://www.eurasianet.org.

  50. Gray B. HIV and Islam: Is HIV prevalence lower among Muslims? Soc Sci Med. 2004;58:1751–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gatrad AR, Sheikh A. Risk factors for HIV/AIDS in Muslim communities. Diversity in Health Soc Care. 2004;1:65–9.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Obermeyer CM. HIV in the middle east. Br Med J. 2006;333:851–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Organista KC. Towards a structural-environmental model of risk for HIV and problem drinking in Latino labor migrants The case of day laborers. J Ethnic Cult Divers Soc Work. 2007;16(1/2):95–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Shedlin MG, Decena CU, Oliver-Velez D. Initial acculturation and HIV risk among new Hispanic immigrants. J Natl Med Assoc. 2005;97(7):32S–7S.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Levy V, Page-Shafer K, Evans J, Ruiz J, Morrow S, Reardon J, et al. HIV-related risk behavior among Hispanic immigrant men in a population-based household survey in low-income neighborhoods of Northern California. Sex Transm Dis. 2005;32(8):487–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Meader N, Li R, Des Jarlais DC, Pilling S. Psychosocial interventions for reducing injection and sexual risk behaviour for preventing HIV in drug users. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010; Jan 20(1): CD007192.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Stevan Weine

  2. PRISMA Research Center, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

    Mahbat Bahromov

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA

    Sana Loue

  4. Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA

    Linda Owens

  5. Psychiatric Institute, 1601W. Taylor Street Rm. 589, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Stevan Weine

Authors
  1. Stevan Weine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahbat Bahromov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sana Loue
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Linda Owens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stevan Weine.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weine, S., Bahromov, M., Loue, S. et al. Trauma Exposure, PTSD, and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors among Labor Migrants from Tajikistan. AIDS Behav 16, 1659–1669 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0122-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0122-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation