AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 26, Issue 12, 2014, Pages 1550-1554

HIV testing during the Canadian immigration medical examination: A national survey of designated medical practitioners (Article)

Tran J.M. , Li A. , Owino M. , English K. , Mascarenhas L. , Tan D.H.S.*
  • a Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • b Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment, Toronto, ON, Canada, Regent Park Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada, Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • c Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment, Toronto, ON, Canada, Regent Park Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • d Ontario AIDS Bureau, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • e St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • f Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment, Toronto, ON, Canada, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract

HIV testing is mandatory for individuals wishing to immigrate to Canada. Since the Designated Medical Practitioners (DMPs) who perform these tests may have varying experience in HIV and time constraints in their clinical practices, there may be variability in the quality of pre- and posttest counseling provided. We surveyed DMPs regarding HIV testing, counseling, and immigration inadmissibility. A 16-item survey was mailed to all DMPs across Canada (N = 203). The survey inquired about DMP characteristics, knowledge of HIV, attitudes and practices regarding inadmissibility and counseling, and interest in continuing medical education. There were a total of 83 respondents (41%). Participants frequently rated their knowledge of HIV diagnostics, cultural competency, and HIV/AIDS service organizations as "fair" (40%, 43%, and 44%, respectively). About 25%, 46%, and 11% of the respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statements "HIV infected individuals pose a danger to public health and safety," "HIV-positive immigrants cause excessive demand on the healthcare system," and "HIV seropositivity is a reasonable ground for denial into Canada," respectively. Language was cited as a barrier to counseling, which focused on transmission risks (46% discussed this as "always" or "often") more than coping and social support (37%). There was a high level of interest (47%) in continuing medical education in this area. There are areas for improvement regarding DMPs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about HIV infection, counseling, and immigration criteria. Continuing medical education and support for DMPs to facilitate practice changes could benefit newcomers who test positive through the immigration process. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Counseling HIV Diagnostic techniques and procedures Emigration and immigration Canada

Index Keywords

immigrant HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening medical examination human risk assessment HIV test immigration statistics and numerical data health service coping behavior General Practitioners general practitioner clinical practice social support Health Surveys HIV Seropositivity language cultural competence knowledge attitude to illness Humans male Canada counseling female safety preemployment medical examination medical education Article disease transmission adult migration physician normal human Emigration and Immigration hazard health care system Delivery of Health Care Physical Examination public health health care delivery health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84908206391&doi=10.1080%2f09540121.2014.936811&partnerID=40&md5=1294532493675c0165c4641f3dc84c11
DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.936811
ISSN: 09540121
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English