Acta Medica Iranica (Jul 2011)

Assessing the Prevalence of HIV among Afghan Immigrants in Iran through Rapid HIV Testing in the Field

  • Hossain Jabbari,
  • Amir Houshang Sharifi,
  • SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinagh,
  • Parastoo Kheirandish,
  • Abbas Sedaghat,
  • Maryam Sargolzaei,
  • Gholamreza Esmaeeli Djavid,
  • Ahmad Khanbabae,
  • Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad,
  • Minoo Mohraz,
  • Willi McFarland

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 49, no. 7

Abstract

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Throughout the world, many migrant and mobile populations are at elevated risk for HIV. Iran has a large immigrant population from neighboring Afghanistan; however, few data exist on the prevalence of HIV in this community. In 2008, we conducted a study to assess the presence of HIV infection among 477 immigrants in a town to the northeast of Tehran using a rapid test in the field. HIV prevalence was 0.2% (95% CI 0.005-1.2) with one person HIV-positive. We recommend periodic HIV sero-surveillance with detailed behavioral measures for this population in the future.

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