Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 12, Issue 6, 2010, Pages 940-946

HIV awareness of outgoing female migrant workers of Bangladesh: A pilot study (Article)

Islam M.M. , Conigrave K.M. , Miah M.S. , Kalam K.A.
  • a School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Drug Health Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
  • b Drug Health Service, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • c Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Building-7, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • d Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Building-7, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Female migrant workers face a growing scale of unsafe migration, which increases their risk of HIV. Despite this, increasing numbers of women are migrating from Bangladesh to other countries as contractual workers. The aim of the study is to establish a baseline for the socio-demographic status of female migrant workers and the extent of their HIV/AIDS awareness along with the factors that determine it, and to discuss the need for effective HIV awareness programmes. During June-July 2008 data were collected by a questionnaire from 123 participants by approaching a cross section of women at the airport who were ready to fly to take up an overseas job. A total of 87% had heard of HIV/AIDS. Participants who had completed an education level of year ≥8 were more likely to have been informed about HIV than others. The average score in correct identification of modes of HIV infection was 1.6 (out of 4) and for preventive measures 1.8 (out of 5). Television and health workers were the major sources of HIV related knowledge. HIV-knowledge among the potential female migrant workers seems to be poor. As growing numbers of female workers are moving overseas for work, government and other concerned agencies must take a pro-active role to raise their awareness of HIV/AIDS infection and of effective preventive measures. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

HIV/AIDS Migration female migrant workers Overseas employment

Index Keywords

human Young Adult female pilot study Bangladesh HIV Infections Humans Transients and Migrants questionnaire Human immunodeficiency virus infection Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article middle aged attitude to health Pilot Projects Questionnaires adult migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78649629378&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-010-9329-5&partnerID=40&md5=51e2eb663d502cba2afefd814154d307
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-010-9329-5
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English