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.
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.
Authors: Kevin D Cashman; Kirsten G Dowling; Zuzana Škrabáková; Marcela Gonzalez-Gross; Jara Valtueña; Stefaan De Henauw; Luis Moreno; Camilla T Damsgaard; Kim F Michaelsen; Christian Mølgaard; Rolf Jorde; Guri Grimnes; George Moschonis; Christina Mavrogianni; Yannis Manios; Michael Thamm; Gert Bm Mensink; Martina Rabenberg; Markus A Busch; Lorna Cox; Sarah Meadows; Gail Goldberg; Ann Prentice; Jacqueline M Dekker; Giel Nijpels; Stefan Pilz; Karin M Swart; Natasja M van Schoor; Paul Lips; Gudny Eiriksdottir; Vilmundur Gudnason; Mary Frances Cotch; Seppo Koskinen; Christel Lamberg-Allardt; Ramon A Durazo-Arvizu; Christopher T Sempos; Mairead Kiely Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2016-02-10 Impact factor: 7.045