Factors associated with HIV testing among immigrants in Portugal

Abstract

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.

HIV/AIDS Among Immigrants in Portugal: Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Correlates of Preventive Practices

“…A similar result was obtained in a previous study (Dias et al, 2010b). In the countries of origin of these participants, Portuguese is the official language.…”

“…In this study, the prevalence of having ever been tested for HIV was 58.6%, higher than the one (51.2%) estimated in a previous study conducted in 2007 with a sample of immigrants residing in Lisbon (Dias et al, 2010b). The prevalence of HIV testing obtained in the present study was also higher compared to the one estimated in the National Survey of Sexual Behaviour conducted in 2009 -44% of a representative sample of the general Portuguese population aged 16-64 years old reported having been tested for HIV (National Coordination for HIV/AIDS Infection).…”

Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing in Migrants in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

“…Importantly, research from high-income countries (HICs) suggests that migrants, particularly those from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs; migrants from LMICs in HICs are the focus of this research and, from here on, are simply termed 'migrants'), may differ from the host population in terms of their health and healthcare requirements [3][4][5]. One disease for which migrants are noted as a high risk group is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [5,6].…”

“…HIV testing uptake is important at a number of levels [6]. Firstly, it may give more accurate data, thereby improving prevention campaigns at a population level.…”

Sexual Behavior and HIV Testing Practices among Men who have Sex with Men in Portugal

“…Nevertheless, very little is known about the frequency of HIV testing among Portuguese MSM and the factors that facilitate or impede testing among this population. The only two studies that tried to describe testing behavior in the context of MSM in Portugal show that some 72% of men got tested but a lot still needs to be done for improving testing, namely adopting more innovative approaches to HIV testing to improve the efficacy of HIV prevention strategies [19,20].…”