Travel-related health events and their risk factors in HIV-infected sub-Saharan migrants living in France and visiting their native country: The ANRS VIHVO cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Literature on health events in HIV-infected travellers is scarce, particularly in sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrants.

METHODS

We investigated health events in HIV-infected SSA migrants living in France during and after travel to their native country. All had a pre-travel plasma viral load (pVL) below 200 copies/mL and were on stable combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Logistic regression models were used to assess the risk factors for at least one adverse health event or febrile event.

RESULTS

Among 264 HIV migrants, pre-travel median CD4 count was 439/mm3 and 27 migrants (6%) experienced a low-level viremia between 50 and 200 copies/mL. One hundred (38%) experienced at least one event (13 experienced two events). The most common events were gastrointestinal, including diarrhoea (n = 29, 26%), respiratory events (n = 20, 18%), and malaria (n = 17, 15%; 1 death). In multivariable analysis, a pre-travel low-level viremia and a lack of pre-travel medical advice significantly increased the risk for any event (OR 4.31, 95% CI, 1.41-13.1; and OR 3.62, 95% CI, 1.38-9.47; respectively). A lack of pre-travel advice significantly increased the risk for febrile event.

CONCLUSIONS

Early and tailored counselling on pre-travel medical advice regarding diarrhoea and vector-borne diseases prophylactic measures in HIV-infected SSA migrants should be emphasised before travel to Africa.