Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in gay and bisexual individuals during migration: the case of Colombian immigrants residing in Spain

Abstract

This article analyzes the factors that may increase the vulnerability to HIV/AIDS of Colombian immigrants residing in Spain. We performed a qualitative research with hermeneutical approach to analyze the reality of social reception of in Spain using in-depth interviews. Results showed that, of the 34 Colombian migrants interviewed, who lived in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, 85.3% self-reported as homosexuals and 14.3% as bisexuals; their average age was of 27.6 years old and the average time living in Spain was 4.8 years. We found that these immigrants had enough knowledge about HIV/AIDS but believed in several preconceptions and fictions connected to the dominant machismo and sexism from their home country. We concluded that the sociocultural sexual prejudice they had developed in their home country, as well as cultural obstacles and ignorance of the social norms from the host society may be common factors to increase the migrants’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.