Emerging pediatric HIV epidemic related to migration

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Published on: May 30, 2013

Douglas W MacPherson1, Militza Zencovich, Brian D Gushulak

  • 1Migration Health Consultants Inc., Cheltenham, Ontario, Canada. douglaswmacpherson@migrationhealth.com

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|May 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Canada

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immigration Health

Background:

  • Canada implemented mandatory HIV screening for residency applicants in 2002.
  • Screening included selected children immigrating to Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on the findings of mandatory HIV screening for child immigrants.
  • To assess the implications of HIV detection in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of HIV screening results from January 2002 to February 2005.
  • Data collection on pediatric HIV cases among residency applicants.

Main Results:

  • 36 pediatric HIV cases were detected (14/100,000 applicants).
  • 94% of infected children were eligible for immigration, primarily from Africa.
  • Maternal infection was the primary risk factor; only 11% received antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-infected immigrant children represent a potential emerging epidemic in low-incidence countries.
  • Early identification of HIV-infected immigrant women is crucial for preventing mother-to-child transmission.
  • Routine HIV testing for immigrants has significant health policy implications.

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