Kenya is currently experiencing both a generalized and a concentrated HIV  epidemic. It has a national HIV prevalence of 6.3% and 1.3 million people between the ages of 15 to 64 across the country are living with HIV. According  to the Kenya National AIDS Control Council (NACC), female sex workers (FSW) and their clients account for 14.1% of new infections. The Kenyan national  response has recently started targeting research and programming efforts towards key population groups, and specifically FSW. However, migrants have not been targeted as a distinct category.

A bulletin of news, information and analysis of migration and health in East and Southern Africa. 

Inside this Issue:

• New clinic offers roadside health care for mobile population in Kenya
• Providing medical escort services to medically unfit Zimbabwean migrants 
• Southern Africa ports as spaces of HIV vulnerability
• HIV Vulnerabiity among Mobile POpulations in the Ports of Mozambique 

A report that assesses and documents on-the-ground pilot projects in which IOM, in collaboration with partners in Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho, South Africa and Zambia, implemented a multi -faceted HIV response in migration affected communities.

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This report was commissioned by the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and IOM.  It provides a concise overview of migration health in Kenya, reinforcing that migration is a social determinant of health. This report analyses specific health concerns in Kenya such as TB and migration, HIV and mobility, and reproductive health and migration. The report was launched at the National Consultation on Migration Health in May 2011 to simulate decisive action from the Government and partners to ensure migrants have equitable access to health services.

A report of findings from an eight-country assessment of the HIV prevention needs of migrants and mobile populations in the SADC region.  The assessment focused primarily on labour migrants employed in the agriculture, mining, transport, construction, informal cross border trade, as well as irregular migrants at a secondary level.

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Objective: To measure prevalence of HIV and syphilis and describe characteristics of sex work among female sex workers (FSWs) in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Somalia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey recruited 237 FSWs using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). A face-to-face, structured interview using handheld-assisted personal interviewing (HAPI) on personal digital assistants (PDAs) was completed and blood collected for serological testing.

This study among Bangladeshi migrants is part of the IOM project “Strengthening Government’s Capacity of Selected South Asian Countries to Address the Health of Migrants through a Multi-sectoral Approach”. It is implemented in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.

This report presents the findings of a situational analysis of HIV programmes for most-at-risk populations along major transport corridors in Uganda. The findings show interesting initiatives as well as a clear need for improved targeting at both national and district level. The objectives of the study were to analyze the current HIV programmes; focusing on institutions involved (“who”), interventions supported or implemented (“what”), and coverage (“where”). The report offers recommendations based on identified gaps.

This study provides an assessment of HIV vulnerabilities and access to HIV healthcare services among key affected populations that live or work along the economic corridor between Myawaddy and Kawkareik. The research targets migrants, female sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who use drugs. The assessment applied a mixed methods approach, acquiring, mapping quantitative data and qualitative data.

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