Immigrant fathers, mothers and babies who are living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, in a time period of 5 months in 2005, in Zahedan [Southeast of Iran], we evaluated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the families of the men with HIV/AIDS who had a history of immigration to other countries to work. Blood samples of the mothers and the babies were evaluated by ELISA method and in those who had a positive test, results were confirmed with a more specific assay [western blot]. Among 274 patients with HIV infection/AIDS[224 male and 50 female] in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Southeast of Iran, 65 cases [41 male, 24 female] were from Saravan [a city in Sistan and Baluchestan]. Out of 41 men with HIV/AIDS in Saravan, 21 cases had a history of immigration, to neighbouring countries to work. Forty five percent of mothers [11 cases] who had infected immigrant husbands, showed a positive test and they were infected with HIV. Also, HIV test was positive in 3 children of families whom their fathers were infected immigrants. Present study showed that 45% of the mothers and 2.5% of the babies in families who the fathers were infected and had a history of immigration, had a positive test and they had been infected with HIV infection. Fifty percent of men with HIV/AIDS had history of immigration. Upon this results, immigration and family deprivation is a potent risk factor for occurrence of infection