Background: The Yorkshire and Humberside region of England ranks second only to London for reception of those seeking asylum in the UK. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence amongst asylum seekers is likely to mirror that in the country of origin. In 2001, the city of Leeds received 1100 asylum seekers, including dependents. Many of these were from areas with high seroprevalence of HIV, and HIV-infected asylum seekers require medical and social support. Are the current services for HIV-infected persons in Leeds appropriate and adequate for this new patient group? Provision of sexual health services for this client group needs to be evaluated. Objectives: To determine whether existing HIV/ac quired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) services in Leeds meet the needs of HIV-positive asylum seekers. Methods: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Seven service providers and 14 HIV-positive patients at Leeds Centre for Sexual Health, six of whom were asylum seekers, took part in the study. Results: Asylum seekers and UK residents were equally satisfied with HI V/AIDS services at Leeds Centre for Sexual Health. Other agencies such as the Health Access Team and Terrence Higgins Trust had different strengths that provided valuable support for this client group. Unmet needs of asylum seekers were identified, such as specialist services for torture victims and educational opportunities. In areas of asylum seeker dispersal with increased case loads, this methodology may inform development of client-centred care networks. © 2004 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Asylum seekers AIDS Refugees Leeds HIV

Needs Assessment education HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection human Refugees health service controlled study social support Great Britain Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence interview qualitative analysis Ambulatory Care Facilities clinical article patient satisfaction Article health care organization health care quality United Kingdom medical specialist Emigration and Immigration Health Services Accessibility Patient Acceptance of Health Care seroprevalence acquired immune deficiency syndrome health care need Torture National Health Programs