Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 39-47

Fear of deportation may limit legal immigrants' access to HIV/AIDS-related care: A survey of Swedish language school students in Northern Sweden (Review) (Open Access)

Kalengayi F.K.N. , Hurtig A.-K.* , Ahlm C. , Krantz I.
  • a Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
  • b Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
  • c Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
  • d Skaraborg Institute for Research and Development, 541 30 Skövde, Sweden

Abstract

The increasing rates of HIV infection that are currently being reported in high-income countries can be partly explained by migration from countries with generalized epidemics. Yet, early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in immigrants remains a challenge. This study investigated factors that might be limiting immigrants' access to HIV/ AIDS care. Data from 268 legal immigrant students of two Swedish language schools in Northern Sweden were analyzed using logistic regression. Thirty-seven percent reported reluctance to seek medical attention if they had HIV/AIDS. Fear of deportation emerged as the most important determinant of reluctance to seek care after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, knowledge level, stigmatizing attitudes and fear of disclosure. Targeted interventions should consider the heterogeneity of migrant communities and the complex interplay of various factors which may impede access to HIV-related services. The myth about deportation because of HIV/AIDS should be countered. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.

Author Keywords

Immigrant Sweden Access HIV Legal

Index Keywords

HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection psychological aspect human middle aged health service ethnology Young Adult Sweden Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire health services Article Questionnaires adult migration legal aspect Utilization Review Fear Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84860586501&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-011-9509-y&partnerID=40&md5=6da00ffa5460e8e9a4e8ddb5a95f7fa3
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9509-y
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English