Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2364 - Poster 1 | ||||
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Session: 58.17: Poster 1 (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Deborah Glejser - Groupe sida Genève , Switzerland |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Kouassi Martin, Mr Brou Sylvain, | ||||
| Aim: Foreigners account for 41% of the total population in Geneva (2014) [1]. The migrant population is heterogeneous in terms of culture, religion, socio-educational level, access to health care or legal status. Migrants from countries with high HIV prevalence are more likely to be infected with HIV[2]. The study objectives were to: - Assess the level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge of precarised migrants in Geneva - Document behaviors linked with HIV (condom use, risk behaviors, use of HIV testing) [1]http://www.ge.ch/statistique/tel/domaines/01/01_02_1/T_01_02_1_1_1_05.xls [2]http://www.bag.admin.ch/hiv_aids/05464/05484/index.html?lang=en | ||||
| Method / Issue: 650 semi-structured interviews of asylum seekers and migrants in socioeconomic precarity, by a specialized nurse in the frame of VCT consultations (Voluntary Counselling and Testing). 62.2% of interviews were conducted in a foreign (e.g. non-French) language and 28% through an interpreter. Interviewees: - 35% undocumented migrants or without a residence permit - 80% male/20% female - 61% from sub-Saharan Africa - Nearly one in five say they do not read fluently in their mother tongue. 38% have completed 6 years of schooling at most. | ||||
| Results / Comments: - Nearly 1 in 5 (19.4%) never heard of HIV/AIDS in their country of origin - 29% of respondents unable to list any means of HIV transmission (from MENA[3]: 44%) - 79% of respondents ignorant of the existence of HIV treatments (ART) - 37% not sure whether HIV/AIDS can be cured - 1/4 of sexually active men and 1/5 of sexually active women say they have never used a condom - 52% of women and 29% of men have already taken an HIV test [3]MENA = Middle East and North Africa | ||||
| Discussion: The survey shows knowledge related to HIV/AIDS, STIs and sexual health is limited for a significant portion of these migrants and they are insufficiently familiar with actual means and services in prevention, treatment and care. A key policy issue for this population remains incitement to VCT and facilitating access to HIV testing.To address sexuality and HIV-related issues requires to adjust to the individual situation of each migrant. Moreover, the low educational level of a large part of respondents demonstrates that it is essential to adapt the language and messages.To bring those at risk to get tested, information on the existence of treatment and its effect for better health, quality of life and prevention of transmission are also essential. However, access to treatment and care for undocumented migrants in Switzerland is not ensured and being HIV-positive is not a condition that prevents deportation of aliens under Swiss law. | ||||
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