标题：Original mixed methods research – Mandatory HIV screening, migration and HIV stigma in Canada: exploring the experiences of sub-Saharan African immigrants living with HIV in western Canada
摘要：Introduction: In this mixed-methods pilot study, we examined the intersections of thecurrent Canadian immigration policy, mandatory HIV screening during the ImmigrationMedical Exam (IME) and enacted and internalized stigma for HIV-positive immigrantsfrom sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in a western Canadian province. We focus on qualitativefindings from this study.Methods: Using the Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), we collected data from eightimmigrants from SSA living with HIV in a western Canadian province. We then conductedsemistructured interviews with seven of the eight participants. Due to the smallsample size, survey data were summarized using descriptive analysis. Qualitative datawere analyzed through constant comparative analysis.Results: The following key themes emerged from analysis of qualitative data: experiencesof HIV-related emotional distress during the IME; varied experiences of HIV testingduring the IME; and inconsistent patterns of linkage to medical care, psychosocialsupports and engagement in the HIV care cascade.Conclusion: Findings from this pilot study cannot be generalized to the broader populationof immigrants living with HIV in Canada. However, we found that the experiencesof internalized HIV stigma and enacted stigma during the IME potentiallyinfluence the long-term engagement in the HIV care cascade during the process ofmigration and settlement in Canada. Further study in this population is recommendedto examine the intersections of current mandatory HIV screening process during theCanadian immigration process, migration, settlement, culture, stigma and engagementin the HIV care cascade.
关键词：HIV/AIDS; immigrants; sub-Saharan Africa; Canada; migration; immigration;HIV care cascade; Immigration Medical Exam
