@article{dfd05ef0be1e41ddb9aa1983e15e2c9f,
title = "HIV Surveillance and Research for Migrant Populations: Protocol Integrating Respondent-Driven Sampling, Case Finding, and Medicolegal Services for Venezuelans Living in Colombia",
abstract = "Background: Epidemiologic research among migrant populations is limited by logistical, methodological, and ethical challenges, but it is necessary for informing public health and humanitarian programming. Objective: We describe a methodology to estimate HIV prevalence among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Methods: Respondent-driven sampling, a nonprobability sampling method, was selected for attributes of reaching highly networked populations without sampling frames and analytic methods that permit estimation of population parameters. Respondent-driven sampling was modified to permit electronic referral of peers via SMS text messaging and WhatsApp. Participants complete sociobehavioral surveys and rapid HIV and syphilis screening tests with confirmatory testing. HIV treatment is not available for migrants who have entered Colombia through irregular pathways; thus, medicolegal services integrated into posttest counseling provide staff lawyers and legal assistance to participants diagnosed with HIV or syphilis for sustained access to treatment through the national health system. Case finding is integrated into respondent-driven sampling to allow partner referral. This study is implemented by a local community-based organization providing HIV support services and related legal services for Venezuelans in Colombia. Results: Data collection was launched in 4 cities in July and August 2021. As of November 2021, 3105 of the target 6100 participants were enrolled, with enrollment expected to end by February/March 2022. Conclusions: Tailored methods that combine community-led efforts with innovations in sampling and linkage to care can aid in advancing health research for migrant and displaced populations. Worldwide trends in displacement and migration underscore the value of improved methods for translation to humanitarian and public health programming.",
keywords = "Case finding, Colombia, Epidemiology, HIV, HIV surveillance, HIV treatment, Migrant, Research, Respondent-driven sampling, Venezuela",
author = "Wirtz, {Andrea L.} and Page, {Kathleen R.} and Megan Stevenson and Guill{\'e}n, {Jos{\'e} Rafael} and Jennifer Ort{\'i}z and L{\'o}pez, {Jhon Jairo} and Ram{\'i}rez, {Jhon Fredy} and Cindy Quijano and Alejandra Vela and Yessenia Moreno and Francisco Rigual and James Case and Hakim, {Avi J.} and Wolfgang Hladik and Spiegel, {Paul B.}",
note = "Funding Information: We acknowledge with gratitude the support and collaboration of Abu S Abdul-Quader, Dante Bugli, Kevin Clarke, Eva Leidman, Horacio Ruise{\~n}or-Escudero, and Paul Young from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ricardo Luque N{\'u}{\~n}ez from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Colombia; and Federico Duarte and Saskia Loochkartt from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the terms of cooperative agreement NU2GGH002000-03-01. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators do not interact with human participants or have access to identifiable data or specimens for research purposes. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. Funding Information: We acknowledge with gratitude the support and collaboration of Abu S Abdul-Quader, Dante Bugli, Kevin Clarke, Eva Leidman, Horacio Ruise?or-Escudero, and Paul Young from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ricardo Luque N??ez from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Colombia; and Federico Duarte and Saskia Loochkartt from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the terms of cooperative agreement NU2GGH002000-03-01. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators do not interact with human participants or have access to identifiable data or specimens for research purposes. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Andrea L Wirtz, Kathleen R Page, Megan Stevenson, Jos{\'e} Rafael Guill{\'e}n, Jennifer Ort{\'i}z, Jhon Jairo L{\'o}pez, Jhon Fredy Ram{\'i}rez, Cindy Quijano, Alejandra Vela, Yessenia Moreno, Francisco Rigual, James Case, Avi J Hakim, Wolfgang Hladik, Paul B Spiegel.",
year = "2022",
month = mar,
doi = "10.2196/36026",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "11",
journal = "JMIR Research Protocols",
issn = "1929-0748",
publisher = "JMIR Publications Inc.",
number = "3",
}