JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

French Guiana, a French overseas territory located in South America, faces specific social and demographic challenges, notably linked to migration. Haitians are one of the main foreign communities in French Guiana, and face particular obstacles in terms of access to care and prevention, being one of the populations most affected by HIV infection.

Objective:

The main objectives of the PARCOURS D'HAÏTI study were, via 3 lines of work: to assess the frequency of sexual behaviors at risk of HIV contamination among Haitians arriving in French Guiana and their association with their living conditions, to explore and describe social representations of HIV and HBV infections and their impact on the use of preventive, biomedical and traditional care, and to Carry out a phylogenetic analysis of HIV Pol gene sequences from samples collected as part of routine care.

Methods:

This transdisciplinary study uses a mixed approach, combining: A quantitative epidemiological and biographical study of Haitians aged 18 to 60 living in French Guiana for more than 3 months. A main qualitative component comprising semi-directive interviews and focus groups with field professionals and Haitians to explore the use of traditional and biomedical care, access to care and mental health, and a phylogenetic analysis of HIV Pol gene sequences.

Results:

This work develops the various aspects of the protocol for the Parcours d'Haïti study, conducted from November 2021 to May 2023. It describes the inclusion of participants, the criteria for selecting sites for inclusion, monitoring methods, data collection tools, data circuits, timetable and analysis plan. Promising results are expected, with partial publications for a qualitative sub-study already available in 2023. The first consolidated results from the quantitative, qualitative and phylogenetic components are expected in September 2024.

Conclusions:

The PARCOURS D'HAÏTI study stands out for its innovative methodology (mixed study using biographical methods with community co-construction), its specific territory and its study population (a large but vulnerable population).