title: Achieving high acceptability of HIV testing in a population-based survey among immigrants in Finland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among migrants in Finland and the factors contributing to non-acceptance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study 'Maamu' was the first national population-based Health Interview and Examination Survey (HIS/HES) among migrants in Finland. A total of 386 Kurdish, Russian and Somali immigrants in Helsinki participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the participants' different sociodemographic backgrounds, a high rate of test acceptability (92%, 95% CI 90-95) was achieved. HIV test acceptance was associated with pretest counselling, ability to understand spoken Finnish or Swedish and employment status. No participants tested positive for HIV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results imply that a universal HIV testing strategy is well accepted in a low-HIV prevalence immigrant population and can be included in a general health examination in immigrant population-based surveys.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland paula.tiittala@hus.fi.
authors: Paula J
authors: PJ
authors: Tiittala
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors: Pia S
authors: PS
authors: Kivelä
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors: Matti A
authors: MA
authors: Ristola
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors: Heljä-Marja
authors: HM
authors: Surcel
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors: Päivikki M S
authors: PM
authors: Koponen
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors: Mulki
authors: M
authors: Mölsä
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors: Jukka
authors: J
authors: Ollgren
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Liitsola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Immigrant population-based study; acceptability of HIV testing; health interview and examination survey (HIS/HES); universal HIV testing