Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

workers, one with English-speaking sex workers and one with NGOs which yielded a lot of
valuable information.
All the data collected was compiled to get a true picture of the migrant situation in Antigua and
their access to HIV prevention, treatment and care and support services.
Results
The findings showed that while there are some very active agencies in Antigua providing
services, many of the members of the migrant population did not make enough use of the
services for several reasons.
The NAP and CHAA seems to be the agencies that provide the most outreach in the form of
condom distribution and education. As it relates to treatment, the Clinical Care coordinator and
the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre are most used. For support purposes, 3H and ABHAN are
the agencies that cater most to persons who are HIV+.
While many agencies like WAR and Gender Affairs Division provide support, they do not cater
specifically to members of the migrant population; however, their contribution is still noticeable.
The Faith based Organizations do a minimal amount of health education in their facilities and in
some instances offer some support in the form of supplies, but do not do much in terms of
outreach.
Members of the target populations had complaints about stigma and discrimination, lack of
confidentiality and lack of immigration status as barriers to them receiving services. Many of
them preferred to return to their home country if funds allowed, to access services. While many
of them had multiple partners, there was a very low testing rate and not enough condom use.
Condoms were readily available, but due to vulnerability issues, some sex workers were
persuaded to work without condoms for a larger fee and some of the men who had sex with men
were persuaded by more powerful or financially secure partners not to use them. It was noted
that many of the younger MSM’s engaged in transactional sex.
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