Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume 25, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 1052-1066

Barriers to HIV testing in black immigrants to the US (Article)

Ojikutu B.* , Nnaji C. , Sithole-Berk J. , Bogart L.M. , Gona P.
  • a Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States, Harvard Medical School, United States, Johns Snow Research and Training Institute, Boston, United States
  • b Multicultural AIDS Coalition, Jamaica Plain, MA, United States
  • c Multicultural AIDS Coalition, Jamaica Plain, MA, United States
  • d Harvard Medical School, United States, Boston Children's Hospital, United States
  • e The University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125-3393, United States

Abstract

Background. Late HIV testing is common among immigrants from sub Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Since 2010, HIV testing is no longer a required component of immigrant screening examinations or mandatory for immigrants seeking long term residence in the US. Thus, barriers to HIV testing must be addressed. Methods. Five hundred and fifty-five (555) immigrants completed a barriers-to-HIV testing scale. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to examine predictors of barriers. Results. In multivariate analysis, primary language other than English (β=2.9, p=.04), lower education (β=5.8, p=.03), low income [= below $20K/year] (β=4.6, p=.01), no regular provider (β=5.2, p=.002) and recent immigration (β=5.7, p=.0008) were independently associated with greater barriers. Barriers due to health care access, privacy, fatalism, and anticipated stigma were greater for recent versus longer term immigrants. Discussion. Immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean face significant barriers to HIV testing. Interventions to improve access and timely entry into care are needed. © Meharry Medical College.

Author Keywords

Health care access HIV HIV testing Black immigrants

Index Keywords

male Emigrants and Immigrants female Communication Barriers educational status Humans HIV Infections Health Services Accessibility communication disorder Black person United States income human adult migrant health care delivery African Continental Ancestry Group
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906056043&doi=10.1353%2fhpu.2014.0141&partnerID=40&md5=4129312c85efd9015e192505fa5636ca
DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2014.0141
ISSN: 10492089
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English