Working to Advance
Health Equity in Africa

A study on health vulnerabilities of mobile populations and affected communities in selected ports – Durban

A study on health vulnerabilities of mobile populations and affected communities in selected ports – Durban

Overview:

This research seeks to build more detailed knowledge and understanding of health vulnerabilities, specifically HIV, TB, and STIs within these spaces of vulnerability. Likewise, the current responses to those vulnerabilities as well as the nature of sexual networking including multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships that exist among migrant and mobile populations (such as sea-going personnel, truck drivers) and the sedentary populations (including the local community, sex workers) around ports will provide the information required to assist stakeholders in developing relevant policies and programmes that address health vulnerabilities of mobile populations and affected communities in the selected ports.

Objectives:

To contribute to the reduction of HIV incidence and impact of AIDS among migrant and mobile workers and their families, and the communities with which they interact in selected port communities in southern Africa.
Specifically aiming to build more detailed knowledge and understanding of:
• health vulnerabilities, specifically HIV and TB, within these spaces of vulnerability,
• current responses to those vulnerabilities
• the nature of sexual networking including concurrent sexual partnerships that exist among sea-going personnel, truck drivers, sex workers and other sedentary populations around ports,
• assist stakeholders in developing relevant policies and programmes that address health vulnerabilities of mobile populations and affected communities in the selected ports.

Methodological approach:

Exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological survey.