What can lead to late diagnosis of HIV in an illegal gold mining environment? A qualitative study at the French Guiana’s border with Brazil

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The present study aimed to understand what factors can lead to late HIV diagnosis of illegal gold miners at French Guiana’s border with Brazil.

Design

An exploratory qualitative study with in-depth interviews and observations was conducted between November 2019 and February 2020.

Setting

The study was conducted in the main medical healthcare service and two non-governmental organisation premises in the Oyapock border region, which is a supply area for illegal gold mining sites.

Participants

Fifteen people living with HIV diagnosed with CD4 count <350 cells 106/L were interviewed. Seven women and eight men participated; they were between 31 and 79 years old, and the median time since HIV diagnosis was 6 years. Eight had links to illegal gold min

SUBMITTER: Floersheim C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9445782 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature