1. Mandatory HIV screening, migration and HIV stigma in Canada: exploring the experiences of sub-Saharan African immigrants living with HIV in western Canada.
- Author
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Dela Cruz A, Patten S, Abdulmalik I, Harrowing J, Hall M, Afzal AR, Demeke Abate T, Carter A, Spies P, Mapfumo S, and Caine V
- Subjects
- Adult, Africa South of the Sahara epidemiology, Canada ethnology, Emigration and Immigration, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Social Determinants of Health, Emigrants and Immigrants psychology, HIV Infections diagnosis, HIV Infections epidemiology, HIV Infections psychology, Mandatory Testing ethics, Mandatory Testing methods, Psychological Distress, Social Stigma
- Abstract
Introduction: In this mixed-methods pilot study, we examined the intersections of the current Canadian immigration policy, mandatory HIV screening during the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) and enacted and internalized stigma for HIV-positive immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in a western Canadian province. We focus on qualitative findings from this study., Methods: Using the Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), we collected data from eight immigrants from SSA living with HIV in a western Canadian province. We then conducted semistructured interviews with seven of the eight participants. Due to the small sample size, survey data were summarized using descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed through constant comparative analysis., Results: The following key themes emerged from analysis of qualitative data: experiences of HIV-related emotional distress during the IME; varied experiences of HIV testing during the IME; and inconsistent patterns of linkage to medical care, psychosocial supports and engagement in the HIV care cascade., Conclusion: Findings from this pilot study cannot be generalized to the broader population of immigrants living with HIV in Canada. However, we found that the experiences of internalized HIV stigma and enacted stigma during the IME potentially influence the long-term engagement in the HIV care cascade during the process of migration and settlement in Canada. Further study in this population is recommended to examine the intersections of current mandatory HIV screening process during the Canadian immigration process, migration, settlement, culture, stigma and engagement in the HIV care cascade., Competing Interests: There are no financial or other conflict of interest. None of the authors benefited as a result of this study.
- Published
- 2020
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