Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1574-8871
ISSN (Online): 1876-1038

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Commentary

The Management of Newly Diagnosed HIV in a Sudanese Refugee in Canada: Commentary and Review of Literature

Author(s): Aven Sidhu*, Rohan Kakkar and Osamah Alenezi

Volume 14, Issue 1, 2019

Page: [61 - 65] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1574887113666180903145323

Abstract

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence rates in refugee camps are inconclusive in current literature, with some studies highlighting the increased risk of transmission due to poor living conditions and lower levels of education. With the increasing number of refugees from HIV endemic countries, it is important to assess the programs established to support patients upon arrival. Refugees have been reported to have a lower health literacy and face disease-related stigmatization, which must be overcome for the lifelong treatment of HIV.

Case Presentation: 31-year-old female arrived in Canada as a refugee from Sudan with her 5 children in July of 2017. She was diagnosed with HIV and severe dental carries during her initial medical evaluation and referred to our centre. A lack of social support has resulted in severe psychological stress. The first being stigmatization which has led to her not disclosing the diagnosis to anyone outside her medical care team. Her level of knowledge about HIV is consistent with literature reporting that despite HIV prevention programs in refugee camps, compliance with risk reduction behaviors, especially in females, is low. Lastly, her major concern relates to the cost of living and supporting her children.

Conclusion: Assessment of current HIV programs is necessary to recognize and resolve gaps in the system. Focusing on programs which increase both risk reduction behaviors in refugee camps and integration of refugees in a new healthcare system can facilitate an easier transition for patients and aid in the quest for global 90-90-90 targets for HIV.

Keywords: AIDS, global policy, HIV Education, HIV, refugee, stigma.

« Previous Next »
Graphical Abstract

[1]
Unaids. Fact sheet - Latest global and regional statistics on the status of the AIDS epidemic. [cited 2018 Mar 9]; Available from. http: //www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/UNAIDS_ FactSheet_en.pdf
[2]
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Ending AIDS: Progress towards the 90-90-90 targets [Internet]. Geneva; 2017 [cited 2018 Mar 9]. Available from:. http: //www.unaids.org/ sites/default/files/media_asset/Global_AIDS_update_2017_en.pdf
[3]
Muhwezi WW, Kinyanda E, Mungherera M, et al. Vulnerability to high risk sexual behaviour (HRSB) following exposure to war trauma as seen in post-conflict communities in eastern uganda: A qualitative study. Confl Health 2011; 5: 22.
[4]
Westerhaus M. Linking anthropological analysis and epidemiological evidence: Formulating a narrative of HIV transmission in Acholiland of northern Uganda. SAHARA J J Soc Asp HIV/AIDS Res Alliance 2007; 4(2): 590-605.
[5]
Spiegel PB, Bennedsen AR, Claass J, et al. Prevalence of HIV infection in conflict-affected and displaced people in seven sub-Saharan African countries: A systematic review. Lancet (London, England) 2007; 369(9580): 2187-95.
[6]
Mworozi EA. AIDS and civil war: A devil’s alliance. Dislocation caused by civil strife in Africa provides fertile ground for the spread of HIV. AIDS Anal Afr 3(6): 8-10.
[7]
Dahab M, Spiegel PB, Njogu PM, Schilperoord M. Changes in HIV-related behaviours, knowledge and testing among refugees and surrounding national populations: A multicountry study. AIDS Care - Psychol Socio-Medical Asp AIDS/HIV 2013; 25(8): 998- 1009.
[8]
Public Health Agency of Canada. HIV/AIDS Epi Updates: HIV/AIDS in Canada among people from countries where HIV is endemic. 2012. Available from:. https: //www.canada.ca/content/ dam/phac-aspc/migration/phac-aspc/aids-sida/publication/epi/2010/ pdf/ch13-eng.pdf
[9]
World Health Organisation. HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations: 2016 Update 2016. Available from:. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/246200/1/9789241511124-eng.pdf?ua=1
[10]
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Refugees and HIV. Plus News 2018; 3. Available from:. http: //www.unhcr.org/ afr/45e58abc2.pdf
[11]
Caulford P, D’Andrade J. Health care for Canada’s medically uninsured immigrants and refugees: Whose problem is it? Can Fam Physician 2012; 58(7): 725-7, e362-4.
[12]
Krentz H, Gill MJ. The five-year impact of an evolving global epidemic, changing migration patterns, and policy changes in a regional Canadian HIV population. Health Policy (New York) 2009; 90(2): 296-302.
[13]
Tanaka Y, Kunii O, Hatano T, Wakai S. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of HIV prevention and HIV infection risks among Congolese refugees in Tanzania. Health Place 2008; 14(3): 434-52.
[14]
Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2016. Available from:. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ fields/2155.html
[15]
Government of Canada. Glossary. Government of Canada 2017. Available from:. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/glossary. asp#government_assisted_refugee
[16]
Government of Canada. What kind of support do governmentassisted refugees get? 2017. Available from:. http: //www.cic.gc.ca/ english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=098&top=11
[17]
Donnelly LR, Bailey L, Jessani A, et al. Stigma experiences in marginalized people living with hiv seeking health services and resources in Canada. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2016; 27(6): 768-83.
[18]
Mahajan AP, Sayles JN, Patel VA, et al. Stigma in the HIV/AIDS epidemic: A review of the literature and recommendations for the way forward. AIDS 2008; 22(Suppl. 2): S57-65.
[19]
Nevin PE, Frey S, Lipira L, et al. “You are always hiding. It’s the worst way to live.” Exploring Stigma in African Immigrants Living With HIV in a Large Northwest U.S. Metropolitan Area. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2018; 29(3): 417-25.
[20]
Nadeem E, Lange JM, Edge D, et al. Does stigma keep poor young immigrant and U.S.-Born Black and Latina women from seeking mental health care? Psychiatr Serv 2007; 58(12): 1547-54.
[21]
Orlando M, Burnam MA, Beckman R, et al. Re-estimating the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample of persons receiving care for HIV: Results from the HIV cost and services utilization study. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2002; 11(2): 75-82.
[22]
Turton MS. Barriers to oral health care among people living with HIV in Kwazulu Natal and the Western Cape University of the Western Cape; 2008 Available from: http: //etd.uwc.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11394/2729/Turtyon_MChD_2008.pdf?sequence=1
[23]
Mitzel LD, Vanable PA, Brown JL, et al. Depressive symptoms mediate the effect of HIV-Related stigmatization on medication adherence among HIV-Infected men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav 2015; 19(8): 1454-9.
[24]
Kiviniemi MT, Orom H, Waters EA, McKillip M, Hay JL. Education-based disparities in knowledge of novel health risks: The case of knowledge gaps in HIV risk perceptions. Br J Health Psychol 2018; 23(2): 420-35.
[25]
Susan C, Andrew B, Castillo-Riquelme M, Di M. The burden of hivaids in the public healthcare system. S Afr J Econ 2008; 76(s1): S3-S14.
[26]
Kingston-Riechers J. The economic cost of HIV/AIDS in Canada 2011 Available from: http://www.cdnaids.ca/wp-content/uploads/ Economic-Cost-of-HIV-AIDS-in-Canada.pdf
[27]
Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Population Division. THE IMPACT OF AIDS. New York: United Nations;. 2004.
[28]
Klein A. HIV/AIDS and Immigration Final Report HIV/AIDS and Immigration: Final Report 2001 Available from:. www.aidslaw.ca
[29]
Out/law Immigration Legal Services; Hughes RJ. Canadian Immigration and HIV Out/Law Immigration. 2015 Available from:. http: //outlawimmigration.com/entries/immigration-to-canada/canadian-immigration-and-hiv
[30]
Canadian H. IV/AIDS Legal Network. Immigration and Travel to Canada for People Living with HIV 2015. Available from:. http: //www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ImmigQA_ 2015-ENG.pdf
[31]
Kose S, Odemis I, Celik D, et al. Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV seroprevalence among Syrian refugee children admitted to outpatient clinics. Infez Med 2017; 25(4): 339-43.
[32]
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). AIDS by the numbers - AIDS is not over, but it can be. 2016. Available from:. http: //www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/AIDS-by-the-numbers-2016_en.pdf
[33]
Günthard HF, Saag MS, Benson CA, et al. Antiretroviral drugs for treatment and prevention of HIV Infection in Adults. JAMA 2016; 316(2): 191.
[34]
Nosyk B, Lima V, Colley G, et al. Costs of health resource utilization among HIV-positive individuals in British Columbia, Canada: results from a population-level study. Pharmacoeconomics 2015; 33(3): 243-53.
[35]
Globerman J, Mitra S, Gogolishvili D, et al. HIV/STI prevention interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Med 2017; 12: 450-67.
[36]
Mak WWS, Mo PKH, Ma GYK, Lam MYY. Meta-analysis and systematic review of studies on the effectiveness of HIV stigma reduction programs. Soc Sci Med 2017; 188: 30-40.

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
47
7
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy