title: Barriers to HIV Testing in Black Immigrants to the U.S.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Late HIV testing is common among immigrants from sub Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Since 2010, HIV testing is no longer a required component of immigrant screening examinations or mandatory for immigrants seeking long term residence in the US. Thus, barriers to HIV testing must be addressed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred and fifty-five (555) immigrants completed a barriers-to-HIV testing scale. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to examine predictors of barriers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In multivariate analysis, primary language other than English (β=2.9, p=.04), lower education (β=5.8, p=.03), low income [= below $20K/year] (β=4.6, p=.01), no regular provider (β=5.2, p=.002) and recent immigration (β=5.7, p=.0008) were independently associated with greater barriers. Barriers due to health care access, privacy, fatalism, and anticipated stigma were greater for recent versus longer term immigrants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean face significant barriers to HIV testing. Interventions to improve access and timely entry into care are needed.
authors.forename: Bisola
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ojikutu
authors.forename: Chioma
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nnaji
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sithole-Berk
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bogart
authors.forename: Philimon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D014481:United States; D001741:Black or African American