Marseille 2007
| Abstract #461 - HIV/AIDS risk and use of health care services in African immigrants | ||||
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Session: 21.5: Vulnerable populations (Parallel) on Monday @ 16.30-18.30 in 5 Chaired by William Fisher, Tomas Campbell Authors: Presenting Author: Prof Sonia Dias - Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Portugal |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: Although theres a lack of information, African immigrants in Portugal are generally perceived as a particular vulnerable group regarding HIV/AIDS infection. On the other hand, data on health service use also indicates that they are under-represented among service users, particularly for Sexual and Reproductive Health, including HIV/AIDS prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The main objectives of this study were to identify and understand knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS, and examine determinants and barriers of access and utilisation of health care services. | ||||
| Method / Issue: The study was conducted among individuals aged fifteen years and above, living in an African migrant community in the Greater Lisbon area. Data has been collected through community surveys and collective interviews. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Results suggest that existing beliefs, attitudes and knowledge may increase the risk for HIV/AIDS infection among this community. Some of the factors that may act as determinants to access and use of health care services are identified. The results showed that immigrants face reduced access to health services due to political, administrative and cultural barriers. Many of these problems are connected to a lack of migrant-oriented health policies, an insufficient training for health professionals in caring for those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and a lack of sensitivity of health providers to this multicultural mosaic. This complex situation characterized with unfavourable attitudes, social representations and knowledge that frame immigrants behaviours related to HIV/AIDS and lower use of the health care services may expand considerably the psychosocial, behavioural and even sociologic risks they are exposed to, compounds the risk of HIV/AIDS and can have a serious impact on immigrants health. | ||||
| Discussion: These findings stress the need for intervention programs tailored specifically towards sexual and HIV/AIDS needs of African migrants communities, as well as implementation of public health policies and programs to promote a better and greater access to health care services aiming to reduce health inequalities, and intervening more effectively in the context of HIV/AIDS in immigrant populations. | ||||
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