Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 89-95

Increasing HIV Testing Among African Immigrants in Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities (Article)

Adedimeji A.A.* , Asibon A. , O’Connor G. , Carson R. , Cowan E. , McKinley P. , Leider J. , Mallon P. , Calderon Y.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Harold and Muriel Block Building #515, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, United States
  • b Departments of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, NY, United States
  • c Department of Emergency Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, HIV Molecular Research Group, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College, Dublin, Ireland
  • d AIDS Care Education and Training, Dublin, Ireland
  • e Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Harold and Muriel Block Building #515, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, United States
  • f AIDS Care Education and Training, Dublin, Ireland
  • g Departments of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, NY, United States
  • h HIV Molecular Research Group, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College, Dublin, Ireland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
  • i Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Harold and Muriel Block Building #515, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, United States, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, NY, United States

Abstract

In 2012, immigrants constitute 63 % of new cases of heterosexually transmitted HIV among individuals born outside Ireland. Current strategies to encourage testing can be ineffective if immigrants perceive them as culturally insensitive. We obtained qualitative data to explore challenges to voluntary HIV-testing for immigrants in Ireland. Content analysis was undertaken to identify and describe pertinent themes. Widespread beliefs that HIV is primarily a disease of African immigrants were identified as challenges that constrain access to testing and care. The organization and location of testing services, attitude of health workers, and beliefs regarding mandatory HIV-testing for immigrants seeking access to welfare benefits were also identified. Immigrants in Ireland encounter a variety of structural, cultural and personal constraints to HIV testing. Opportunities exist in the Irish Health system to increase testing among immigrants through greater acknowledgement of cultural sensitivities of immigrant groups. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

HIV immigrants Testing Ireland

Index Keywords

information processing HIV Infections mass screening human middle aged statistics and numerical data ethnology qualitative research Humans migrant Ireland psychology Adolescent male counseling Emigrants and Immigrants female Africa Social Stigma cultural factor adult Cultural Characteristics Focus Groups Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893869338&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-014-9986-x&partnerID=40&md5=a0b5f2950a68375bcf5d7c6d5eba3918
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-9986-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English