AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 23, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 476-485

Knowledge of free voluntary HIV testing centres and willingness to do a test among migrants in Cayenne, French Guiana (Article)

Hanf M.* , Bousser V. , Parriault M.C. , Van-Melle A. , Nouvellet M.-L. , Adriouch L. , Sebillotte C.G. , Couppie P. , Nacher M.
  • a Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • b Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • c Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • d Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • e COREVIH, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • f Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • g Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • h Department of Dermatology, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana
  • i Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Epidémiologie Clinique (CIC-EC), Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana, COREVIH, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana

Abstract

In Cayenne, French Guiana, 80% of HIV-positive patients followed at the hospital are migrants. Behavioural information is crucial for optimising HIV testing for this vulnerable group. Predictors of ignorance of the existence of free voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centre and willingness to get tested were investigated in 2006 among 398 migrants from Haiti, Guyana, Suriname and Brazil using a structured questionnaire. Only 27% of migrants knew simultaneously about the existence of free VCT, its localisation and its operating hours. Factors associated with ignorance of the existence of free VCT centre were birthplace in Haiti, being in French Guiana for less than three years, not thinking one's birth country as strongly affected by HIV and not thinking to be personally at risk for HIV. Factors independently associated with willingness to get tested were thinking to be at risk for HIV, birthplace in Brazil and Haiti, having a high-integration level and fear of suffering if HIV test was positive. In order to improve testing among migrants, the accessibility of testing facilities and the knowledge of their whereabouts and operating hours must be improved to promote the desired behaviour among the majority of migrants which is often willing to do the test. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

French Guiana Risk perception HIV testing migrant VCT prevention

Index Keywords

Voluntary Programs HIV Infections human HIV test middle aged voluntary counselling and testing center priority journal knowledge Haiti Young Adult Humans Adolescent male counseling female South America Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article high risk behavior French Guiana Questionnaires adult migration infection risk Patient Acceptance of Health Care health center Transients and Migrants structured questionnaire
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79952518415&doi=10.1080%2f09540121.2010.525604&partnerID=40&md5=da36798ae0853dbce4b24527f23c45c0
DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2010.525604
ISSN: 09540121
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English