Introduction
In this mixed-methods pilot study, we examined the intersections of the current Canadian immigration policy, mandatory HIV screening during the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) and enacted and internalized stigma for HIV-positive immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in a western Canadian province. We focus on qualitative findings from this study.
Methods
Using the Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), we collected data from eight immigrants from SSA living with HIV in a western Canadian province. We then conducted semistructured interviews with seven of the eight participants. Due to the small sample size, survey data were summarized using descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed through constant comparative analysis.
Results
The following key themes emerged from analysis of qualitative data: experiences of HIV-related emotional distress during the IME; varied experiences of HIV testing during the IME; and inconsistent patterns of linkage to medical care, psychosocial supports and engagement in the HIV care cascade.
Conclusion
Findings from this pilot study cannot be generalized to the broader population of immigrants living with HIV in Canada. However, we found that the experiences of internalized HIV stigma and enacted stigma during the IME potentially influence the long-term engagement in the HIV care cascade during the process of migration and settlement in Canada. Further study in this population is recommended to examine the intersections of current mandatory HIV screening process during the Canadian immigration process, migration, settlement, culture, stigma and engagement in the HIV care cascade.
Vaginitis is usually caused by a change in the normal balance of vaginal microbes, an infection or reduced oestrogen levels after menopause leading to variety of infections by bacteria, fungi and viruses. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of vaginitis and its associated risk factors among women attending antenatal care center of Wudil general hospital, Kano Nigeria. A total of 352 High Vaginal Swab and serum samples were collected from women attending antenatal care centre of Wudil general hospital. The samples were processed and screened for the presence of Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis and Treponema pallidum through culture and microscopy and serum venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test. The risk factors were assessed using a designed questionnaire and analysed using Multivariate logistic modelling. The prevalence of C. albicans, T. vaginalis and Treponema pallidum were found to be 32.38%, 18.46 %, and 4.83%, respectively(p≤0.05). The result showed that the risk factors that are significantly associated with the prevalence of vaginitis were active sex age (26 – 30) years, educational status and number of participants husband’s wives. The study identifies that C. albicans is the major cause of vaginitis, and is insignificantly associated with active sex age educational status and number of participants husband’s wives. Keywords: Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Pregnant Women
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Points saillants
RésuméContexte. Dans cette étude pilote à méthodes mixtes, nous avons examiné les recoupe ments entre la politique canadienne actuelle en matière d'immigration, le dépistage obligatoire du VIH effectué pendant l'examen médical aux fins de l'immigration (EMI) et la stigmatisation effective et intériorisée liée aux immigrants d'Afrique subsaharienne séropositifs qui vivent dans une province de l'Ouest canadien. Nous mettons l'accent sur les résultats qualitatifs obtenus dans le cadre de cette étude.Méthodologie. À l'aide de l'Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), nous avons recueilli des données auprès de huit immigrants d'Afrique subsaharienne infectés par le VIH vivant dans une province de l'Ouest canadien. Nous avons ensuite réalisé des entrevues semidirigées auprès de sept de ces huit participants. Compte tenu du petit échantillon, les données des entrevues ont été synthétisées en utilisant une analyse descriptive. Les données qualitatives ont été examinées au moyen d'une analyse comparative constante.
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