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Abstract
Objectives Sub-Saharan African immigrants are particularly affected by HIV in France, with many acquiring the infection after migration due to precarious circumstances that increase their vulnerability. This study aimed to explore the association between HIV risk perception, knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention methods and sexual behaviours among sub-Saharan African immigrants living in precarious conditions in the greater Paris area.
Methods This cross-sectional study analysed data from 614 participants in the MAKASI project, conducted in the greater Paris area (2019–2020). Sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention methods (postexposure prophylaxis, treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) and sexual behaviours were described by sex using Pearson’s χ2 tests. HIV risk perception, defined as self-reported exposure to HIV comparable to or greater than the general population, was analysed by participant characteristics. A multivariable logistic regression model identified factors associated with HIV risk perception using variables with a significance threshold of 20%.
Results Most participants (76.5%) were men, with a median age of 34 years (IQR: 29–41) and living in precarious conditions. Forty-one per cent of respondents reported perceiving their HIV exposure risk as comparable to or greater than the general population. Participants aware of PrEP (adjusted OR (aOR) =2.60 (1.17–5.80); p<0.020) and those who had sex with occasional partners without a condom within in the 3 months preceding the survey (aOR=1.89 (1.12–3.18); p<0.017) were more likely to report the same or greater risk of HIV exposure.
Conclusions Our findings reveal that PrEP knowledge and sex with occasional partners, particularly participants who did not use condoms, are associated with increased HIV risk perception among sub-Saharan African immigrants. Further research should explore the relationship between PrEP uptake and HIV risk perception in this population.
Trial registration number NCT04468724
- HIV
- Risk Assessment
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
- Sexual Behaviour
- Emigration and Immigration
Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Due to ethical and legal restrictions, individual-level data cannot be shared publicly.
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Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Due to ethical and legal restrictions, individual-level data cannot be shared publicly.
Footnotes
Handling editor Laith J Abu-Raddad
Collaborators The MAKASI Study Group: Annabel Desgrées du Loû, Nicolas Derche, Flore Gubert, Romain Mbiribindi, Maria Melchior (principal coordinators), Ny Sata Andrianirina, Marwân-al-Qays Bousmah, Séverine Carillon, Virginie Comblon, Karna Coulibaly, Angèle Delbe, Jacques Ebongue, Ruth Foundje Notemi, Charles Gaywahali, Anne Gosselin, Veroska Kohou, France Lert, Jean Lusilu-Voza, Belinda Lutonadio, Yves Nyemeck, Patricia Mbiribindi, Thierry Miatti, Jean-Paul Ngueya, Andrainolo Ravalihasy, Valéry Ridde, Jean-Noël Senne, Oumar Sissoko, Corinne Taéron, Faya Tess, and Iris Zoumenou.
Contributors KC, ADdL and AG conceptualised the study. KC conducted data curation and analysis, and wrote the original draft of the manuscript. KC, AG, ND, RM and ADdL secured the funding. ADdL, AG, ND and RM oversaw project administration and supervision. KC, ADdL and AG reviewed and approved the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.
Funding The MAKASI project was sponsored and funded by the French Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS), the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) Ile-de-France, the French Collaborative Institute on Migrations, the Université Paris Cité (ANR-18-IDEX-001), and the Association Sidaction (PhD grants A0 2019–12,276 and 2022–13,327). The sponsors played no role in the study’s design or conduct, in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, or in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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