International Journal of Public Health
Volume 56, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 559-566

Factors associated with HIV testing among immigrants in Portugal (Article)

Dias S.* , Gama A. , Severo M. , Barros H.
  • a Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
  • b Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
  • c Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
  • d Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Objectives This paper describes the uptake of HIV testing and its associated factors among a sample of immigrants in Portugal. Methods A questionnaire was completed by 1,513 immigrants at the National Immigrant Support Centre, in Lisbon. The magnitude of the association between ever been HIV tested and socio-demographic variables was estimated by means of crude and adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals, using logistic regression. Results Approximately half of the participants reported having ever been HIV tested. Age, sex, educational level, region of origin, immigration status and knowing someone infected were independently associated with the HIV test uptake. Almost 90% of participants reported knowing where to obtain support on HIV-related issues. Most declared preferring doctors to get HIV information. However, only 9.2% had sought HIV information at the National Health Service. Conclusions Our results suggest differences between migrant groups regarding HIV testing. Adopting more innovative approaches to HIV testing could improve the efficacy of HIV prevention strategies, especially among vulnerable groups within immigrant population as male and undocumented. © Swiss School of Public Health 2010.

Author Keywords

Portugal immigrants HIV Testing Information seeking

Index Keywords

Information Seeking Behavior information seeking HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection Portugal HIV human sex difference middle aged Aged Logistic Models Human immunodeficiency virus Young Adult Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics questionnaire AIDS Serodiagnosis serodiagnosis Article Questionnaires adult migration Sex Factors Utilization Review statistical model
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80955132279&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-010-0215-7&partnerID=40&md5=4f63a67e5537702e393aeb52e62ca095
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-010-0215-7
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 11
Original Language: English