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HIV testing and immigrants to the US from sub Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America: Are we missing important groups to target for outreach and intervention?
Methodology: We used data from the National Health Interview Survey (2007-2010), a nationally representative source of data disaggregated by nativity. The probability of HIV testing was modeled using multiple logistic regression.
Results: Among 12,745 immigrants, the majority were from the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico (85%). 4% were from Africa. 85% were Hispanic. 15% were black. A total of 6,756 (53%) had never been tested. The lowest rate of HIV testing was among Hispanic immigrants (44%). 65% of black immigrants reported testing. Among all immigrants who had not been tested, 62% chose not to because of low self-perceived risk. Among Hispanic immigrants, those with less education (OR= 0.51, 95%CI (.44, .59)) and lower self-perceived risk (OR=0.18, 95%CI (0.07, 0.41)) were less likely to be tested. Of those who had not been tested, only 15% planned to test in the future.
Conclusions: Many immigrants from higher HIV prevalence countries have not undergone HIV testing. Interventions addressing risk perception and increasing awareness, particularly among less well educated individuals, should be developed.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and cultureProgram planning
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe self-reported HIV testing rates in black and Latino immigrants from Latin-America, the Caribbean and sub Saharan Africa
Identify predictors of HIV testing in these populations
Describe barriers to HIV testing that may be faced by black and Latino immigrants
Discuss potential interventions that may increase HIV testing in these populations
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Immigrant Health
Not Answered