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- A Rede de Rastreio Comunitária: resultadosPublication . Simões, Daniel; Freitas, Rosa; Mendão, Luís; Rocha, Miguel; Paula Meireles; Ana Aguiar; Raquel Lucas; et al.
- Health Services Use and HIV Prevalence Among Migrant and National Female Sex Workers in Portugal: Are We Providing the Services Needed?Publication . Dias, Sónia; Gama, Ana; Pingarilho, Marta; Simões, Daniel; Mendão, LuísThis cross-sectional bio-behavioral survey conducted with 853 female sex workers (FSW) aimed to examine differences in use of HIV health services, testing and prevalence among migrant and national FSW. A quarter of undocumented FSW had never used National Health Service (NHS) and 15 % never tested for HIV, significantly more than nationals (p < 0.001 and p = 0.024, respectively). HIV infection was self-reported by 11.9 % of nationals, 1.8 % of documented and 0.8 % of undocumented migrants (p < 0.001). The HIV rapid test was reactive in 13.6 % of undocumented, 8.0 % of nationals and 2.3 % of documented. A higher proportion of migrants were unaware of their positive serostatus compared to nationals. Ever had HIV testing was less likely among undocumented, who never used the NHS and who didn't know where to go if suspected being HIV-infected. Promoting early diagnosis with linkage to care among migrant FSW should be supported, while developing health services better tailored to their needs.
- Implementation Process and Impacts of a Participatory HIV Research Project with Key PopulationsPublication . Dias, Sónia; Gama, Ana; Simões, Daniel; Mendão, LuísA participatory HIV research project was conducted with sex workers (SW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) to understand epidemiological HIV dynamics and associated sociobehavioural factors among these vulnerable groups. We examine the impact of this project, critically analysing the processes undertaken and focusing on the advantages and the challenges faced. A partnership was built through two Community Advisory Boards (CABs) and a Scientific Commission (SC). Regular meetings, workshops, and focus groups were conducted with CABs, SC, and partners to assess the processes and outcomes of the project implementation. This participatory research produced change processes with impacts at different levels: individuals, community organizations, health professionals, academics, and policy-makers. Advantages of the participatory process were encountered but also challenges, evidencing the dynamic and complex nature of each project's stage. This project showed that participatory research can work as an intervention. Indeed, it triggered a dynamic and interactive process of knowledge coproduction and translation into effective community-oriented health actions and policies. The participatory research reproduced an innovative alliance for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion responsive to local needs and priorities. Further efforts are needed to systematize and evaluate the processes and impacts of participatory health research.