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Experiences of Migrants Living with HIV from HIV-Endemic Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research Studies

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health volume 25, pages 219–231 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aim of this qualitative systematic review was to explore the experiences of migrants living with HIV from HIV endemic sub-Saharan African countries who migrated to high-income countries. In this systematic review of qualitative research studies, we focused on the experiences of migrants living with HIV and the intersections between living with HIV, migration, settlement, culture, race relations, access to health services and HIV care, treatment, and support during migration and settlement in a new host country. We searched 12 electronic databases from database inception for English-language publications. A thematic analysis of qualitative studies [n = 10] was conducted. Complexities exist across the migration and settlement trajectories of migrants living with HIV, which influenced people’s level of engagement in the HIV care cascade as well as social determinants of health and social wellbeing.

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Change history

  • 17 April 2022

    The given name and surname of author Aniela dela Cruz is corrected.

Notes

  1. For the purpose of this paper, the term migrant is used to refer to immigration applicants including persons who seek permanent residency or temporary residency, including protected persons, individuals seeking protected person status, and individuals who apply to enter a high-income country through other categories of immigration.

  2. The HIV care cascade refers to the continuum of health and social care for people living with HIV. This continuum includes testing and diagnosis of HIV, biomedical treatment and management of HIV, and ongoing health and social care of PLWH to remain engaged in the care cascade, with the overall goal to viral suppression [4].

  3. See Supplemental Material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Aniela dela Cruz, Roshani Puri & Alix Hayden

  2. Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Jose Benito Tovillo & Vera Caine

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  1. Aniela dela Cruz
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Correspondence to Aniela dela Cruz.

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dela Cruz, A., Puri, R., Tovillo, J.B. et al. Experiences of Migrants Living with HIV from HIV-Endemic Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research Studies. J Immigrant Minority Health 25, 219–231 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01340-w

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Keywords

  • High-income countries
  • HIV
  • Migrant health
  • Stigma
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Systematic review