Examining the Correlates of HIV Testing for Venezuelan Migrants in Trinidad

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15464337
AutoresNyla Lyons (0000-0002-6689-7995, University of Trinidad and Tobago, autor correspondente), Brendon Bhagwandeen (0000-0003-4843-701X, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia), Robert J Edwards (0000-0002-4392-8998, University of Trinidad and Tobago)
Ano2023
Volume20
Fascículo3
Páginas2148-2148
Data de publicação2023-01-25
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20032148
PMID36767515
OpenAlexW4317933252
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas4

An important preventive measure in the fight against the HIV epidemic is the adoption of HIV testing. The government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conducted a registration exercise in 2019 for undocumented migrants and refugees from Venezuela residing in the country. These migrants were allowed access to the public health system. In this study, we observed the correlates of HIV testing in Venezuelan migrants residing in Trinidad. A convenience sample of n = 250 migrants was collected via telephone survey from September through December 2020. Variables of interest included social factors, health needs, and uptake of HIV testing. Pearson χ 2 tests examined the associations between study variables, and multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination produced the odds of taking an HIV test. In our study, 40.8% of migrants reported having received an HIV test since arriving in Trinidad. Persons who migrated with family or friends had greater odds of getting an HIV test relative to persons who arrived alone (OR = 2.912, 95% CI: 1.002-8.466), and migrants who knew where to get an HIV test also greater odds of getting a test relative to person who did not know where to get a test (OR = 3.173, 95% CI: 1.683-5.982). Migrants with known physical health problems had greater odds of getting an HIV test relative to migrants without these health problems (OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.032-3.337). Persons who arrived with family or friends had greater odds of experiencing difficulties accessing public health care relative to persons who arrived alone (OR = 3.572, 95% CI: 1.352-9.442). Migrants earning between $1000 and $2999 TT per month had greater odds of experiencing trouble accessing public health services relative to persons who had monthly earnings of less than $1000 TT (OR = 2.567, 95% CI: 1.252-5.264). This was the first quantitative study on HIV testing among Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad. Migrants still experience difficulties accessing healthcare, which, in turn influences national HIV prevention and control efforts. The results gathered may help in developing HIV prevention plans that are led by a national health policy that takes migrant communities' needs into account

Environmental health · Health facility · Health services · Hiv test · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Public health · Sociology · Test (biology · Demography · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Sex work and related issues · Gerontology