title: Knowledge of free voluntary HIV testing centres and willingness to do a test among migrants in Cayenne, French Guiana.
abstract: In Cayenne, French Guiana, 80% of HIV-positive patients followed at the hospital are migrants. Behavioural information is crucial for optimising HIV testing for this vulnerable group. Predictors of ignorance of the existence of free voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centre and willingness to get tested were investigated in 2006 among 398 migrants from Haiti, Guyana, Suriname and Brazil using a structured questionnaire. Only 27% of migrants knew simultaneously about the existence of free VCT, its localisation and its operating hours. Factors associated with ignorance of the existence of free VCT centre were birthplace in Haiti, being in French Guiana for less than three years, not thinking one's birth country as strongly affected by HIV and not thinking to be personally at risk for HIV. Factors independently associated with willingness to get tested were thinking to be at risk for HIV, birthplace in Brazil and Haiti, having a high-integration level and fear of suffering if HIV test was positive. In order to improve testing among migrants, the accessibility of testing facilities and the knowledge of their whereabouts and operating hours must be improved to promote the desired behaviour among the majority of migrants which is often willing to do the test.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Investigation Clinique - Epidemiologie Clinique (CIC-EC) Antilles Guyane INSERM CIE 802, Cayenne General Hospital, Cayenne, French Guiana. matthieu@hanf.fr
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanf
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bousser
authors.forename: Marie Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Parriault
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van-Melle
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nouvellet
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adriouch
authors.forename: Claire Goddard
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Sebillotte
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Couppie
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nacher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D005616:French Guiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006205:Haiti; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013020:South America; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult