Achieving high acceptability of HIV testing in a population-based survey among immigrants in Finland

Scand J Public Health. 2015 Jun;43(4):393-8. doi: 10.1177/1403494815573604. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among migrants in Finland and the factors contributing to non-acceptance.

Methods: The Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study 'Maamu' was the first national population-based Health Interview and Examination Survey (HIS/HES) among migrants in Finland. A total of 386 Kurdish, Russian and Somali immigrants in Helsinki participated in the study.

Results: Despite the participants' different sociodemographic backgrounds, a high rate of test acceptability (92%, 95% CI 90-95) was achieved. HIV test acceptance was associated with pretest counselling, ability to understand spoken Finnish or Swedish and employment status. No participants tested positive for HIV.

Conclusions: The results imply that a universal HIV testing strategy is well accepted in a low-HIV prevalence immigrant population and can be included in a general health examination in immigrant population-based surveys.

Keywords: Immigrant population-based study; acceptability of HIV testing; health interview and examination survey (HIS/HES); universal HIV testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Communication Barriers
  • Counseling / statistics & numerical data
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Finland
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk Factors