Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #599 - E-Posters English | ||||
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Session: 50.55: E-Posters English (Poster) on Sunday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr George Palattiyil - University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
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| Additional Authors: Dr. Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra. Anna Esteve, Dra. Victoria Gonzalez, Grupo HIVITS TS, | ||||
| Aim: Asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable to HIV, because the very issues that compel them to seek asylum are the ones that impel the AIDS epidemic. HIV thrives in regions of poverty, conflict, and inadequate living conditions and the lives of asylum seekers are characterised by these issues. The aim of this research was to develop a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of HIV-positive asylum seekers such that the insights gained from this study could inform service and policy provision in Scotland and that their voices would help illumine human rights issues that are essential in catalyzing action in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. | ||||
| Method / Issue: The research used a qualitative design to collect data from nineteen HIV-positive Black African through open-ended individual interviews and two focus groups. The participants were mainly women (15 women and 4 men) and all resided in Glasgow, Scotland. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts from the interviews and focus groups were analyzed for unique and recurring themes. The content was organized into a series of themes that captured the lived experiences of the respondents. Ethical considerations were given foremost attention throughout the research. | ||||
| Results / Comments: A recurrent theme through all interviews was the pervasive stigma experienced by individuals in relation to being HIV-positive and being an asylum seeker. HIV-positive asylum seekers experience stigma, poverty, isolation, vulnerability, and discrimination, which when coupled with a lack of support and access to appropriate medical care, denied their fundamental human rights and dehumanized people who were are already fleeing circumstances threatening their very existence. The majority of the respondents were only obliged to disclose their status to doctors, dentists and immigration officers at the UK Borders Agency, and these were the sources of stigma they described. Additionally respondents spoke about the stigma they imposed on themselves because they were HIV-positive. | ||||
| Discussion: Stigma prevents asylum seekers from accessing services, disclosing HIV status and enjoying the same freedom and rights of those not affected by HIV. Consequently, stigma associated with HIV is one of the main barriers to preventing the spread of the disease and ensuring that individuals receive adequate treatment. There is a need for culturally sensitive awareness training, targeting specifically at influencing attitudes and approaches of health care providers and health service staff towards HIV-positive asylum seekers. Dealing with the difficulties of having a HIV diagnosis, at the same time as trying to cope with various issues involved with the asylum process clearly places HIV-positive asylum seekers in a position of double jeopardy. | ||||
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