Empowerment in sexual health for Sub-Saharan migrants in Paris: results from a community-based study - Taeron, Corinne; Mbiribindi, Romain; Derche, Nicolas; Desgrées du Loû, Annabel (European Journal of Public Health, 2017)
Background In Europe, immigrants represent 34% of new HIV diagnoses (ECDC 2014). Several studies recently showed that between a third and half of HIV-positive immigrants in Europe acquired HIV post migration, in relation with social hardship experiences (Fakoya et al. 2015; Desgrées du Loû et al. 2016). Hence there is a strong need for efficient interventions to reduce Sub-Saharan immigrants’ social and sanitary vulnerability. The aim of our study is to design and evaluate the feasibility of a community-based intervention for Sub-Saharan immigrants’ empowerment in sexual health in Paris greater area. Methods Two community-based organizations (Arcat and Afrique Avenir) and three research teams conduct the pilot research together. The research is led in 2017-2018 and consists in participant observation in the two organizations, common workshops about existing interventions, and peers’ implication. Interviews are also led with key informers of the community. Results Preliminary results show that a community-based multicomponent intervention is feasible and could reduce Sub-Saharan immigrants’ vulnerability. Different interventions are designed for different “risk profiles”: i) vulnerability grid and rapid referral for recently arrived, vulnerable persons – women in particular and ii) gender-sensitive, specifically-tailored prevention sessions for men who have a low perception of their risk. Conclusions A package of interventions designed to reduce social and sanitary vulnerability in order to reduce sexual health is feasible among Sub-Saharan immigrants’ in Paris greater area. Key elements are implication of community-based organizations and peers. Further evaluation is needed to really measure the impact of this intervention.
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