Late HIV diagnosis among migrant women living in Europe — a systematic review of barriers to HIV testing

Late HIV diagnosis among migrant women living in Europe — a systematic review of barriers to HIV testing

•Migrants account for over two-fifths of new HIV diagnoses in Europe.•More than half of all women in Europe are diagnosed late with HIV.•Structural, sociocultural, and individual factors are the main barriers to HIV testing.•Focused interventions are needed to address the inequalities in healthcare....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IJID regions Vol. 7; pp. 206 - 215
Main Authors: Owusu, Melvina Woode, Krankowska, Dagny Clea, Lourida, Panagiota, Weis, Nina
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2023
Elsevier
Subjects:
Barriers
HIV
Inequalities
Late diagnosis
Migrant women
Review
Migrant women
Late diagnosis
HIV
Barriers
Inequalities
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Summary:•Migrants account for over two-fifths of new HIV diagnoses in Europe.•More than half of all women in Europe are diagnosed late with HIV.•Structural, sociocultural, and individual factors are the main barriers to HIV testing.•Focused interventions are needed to address the inequalities in healthcare. HIV transmission persists in Europe, with migrants accounting for over two-fifths of new diagnoses. Over half of all women in Europe are diagnosed late — particularly migrant women. Therefore, an updated understanding of migrant women's needs is crucial to inform inclusive and relevant HIV research, services, and policies. A systematic review relating to factors influencing late HIV diagnoses among migrant women living in Europe in 2011–2021 was conducted, based on data from 12 papers relating to 13 European Union (EU) countries and three non-EU countries. The studies revealed a range of individual, sociocultural, and structural barriers to HIV diagnosis. Individual barriers included low perceived risk of HIV, lack of knowledge about HIV symptoms and HIV services, lack of trust in healthcare systems, and fear of societal implications of an HIV diagnosis. Sociocultural barriers included language and communication challenges, stigma, and lack of community testing opportunities. Structural factors included poverty, poor living conditions, unclear legal rights, administrative barriers to healthcare access, and lack of testing opportunities. Barriers varied according to resident country, healthcare system, and country/region of origin. The studies highlighted the importance of inclusive research and service design and development, to address the needs of migrant women and reduce inequalities, especially given the current climate in Europe and the everchanging patterns of migration.
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ISSN:2772-7076
2772-7076
DOI:10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.03.006