Journal Article

Sociocultural and Structural Barriers to Care Among Undocumented Latino Immigrants with HIV Infection

Dang, Bich N., Giordano, Thomas P., Kim, Jennifer H.

2012

Overview

Timely entry into HIV care is critical for early initiation of therapy, immunologic recovery and improved survival. However, undocumented Latinos are more likely to enter HIV care late in the disease course and with concurrent AIDS. We conducted a qualitative study to examine the circumstantial, situational and social factors that uniquely affect entry and retention in care for this population. Between June and August 2006, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth, individual interviews with 22 undocumented Latino immigrants living with HIV infection. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and reviewed for accuracy. Data was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Word content was coded and sorted by themes using AnSWR software. Emergent themes related to health care barriers include (1) the challenges of dealing with HIV stigma and rejection from family and community; and (2) the experienced and perceived structural barriers of accessing care as an undocumented individual. Societal intolerance of HIV and stigma-related experiences result in feelings of secrecy and shame. In addition, the undocumented state complicates the situation even further. These unique barriers include fear of deportation, work restrictions, inadequate translation services and difficulties meeting paperwork requirements. This study offers insight into the unique sociocultural and structural barriers faced by undocumented Latinos with HIV infection. Understanding and addressing these barriers will prove vital in the development and implementation of strategies to promote early entry into HIV care.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Access to Health Care / Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / Adult / AIDS / Barriers / Comparative Law / Councils / Cultural differences / Culture / Deportation / Emigrants and Immigrants / Fear / Fear & phobias / Female / Grounded theory / Health care / Health care access / Health services / Health Services Accessibility / Hispanic Americans / Hispanic people / HIV / HIV Infections - ethnology / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Illegal immigrants / Immigrants / Immigration / Immigration policy / Infection / Infections / International & Foreign Law / Interviews / Interviews as Topic / Latin American cultural groups / Latin American people / Male / Medical tests / Medical treatment / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Noncitizens / Original Paper / Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Planning / Population / Private International Law / Public Health / Qualitative research / R&D / Research & development / Secrecy / Semi Structured Interviews / Shame / Social factors / Sociocultural factors / Sociology / Stigma / Studies / Translation / Translations / Tuberculosis / Undocumented immigrants / United States