EACS2023: 30 Barriers to HIV testing and possible interventions to improve healthcare among migrants, especially migrant women, in Europe D.C. Krankowska , P. Lourida , S. Quirke , M. Woode-Owusu , N. Weis Medical University of Warsaw, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Warsaw, Poland, Evaggelismos General Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV, Athens, Greece, Galway University Hospital, Respiratory Department, Galway, Ireland, University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, United Kingdom, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen, Denmark General data Abstract category: Access and delivery of care Abstract body Purpose: According to ECDC reports, women and migrants are more likely to have delayed HIV diagnosis (CD4 <350 cells/mm3). Inequalities persist in access to and use of healthcare amenities by migrants. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to HIV testing and possible interventions to improve healthcare access among migrants in Europe, with emphasis on migrant women, based on opinions of employees within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders working with migrants. Method: Between November 2021 and February 2022 an online survey, consisting of 20 questions, was forwarded to 178 stakeholders and NGOs working with migrant populations in 33 countries from the WHO European Region. Results: Forty-three responses from 14 countries were analyzed. Most respondents (70%) judged migrants’ access to healthcare worse compared to the resident population. Only 2/12 prevention interventions were available to all, in at least 50% of participating countries (Table 1). The three main barriers to accessing healthcare by migrants and reasons for late HIV diagnosis were stigma and discrimination, language barrier and cultural barrier (Table 2). Possible interventions to improve migrant women’s access to healthcare included more education about HIV, universal free healthcare for all and more community involvement. Table 2. Top barriers to accessing healthcare which migrant women face according to 27 respondents from 11 countries. Barrier Number of Respondents who included in Top 5 Number of Respondents who ranked 1st (Most Important) Stigma and discrimination 19/27 (70.4%) B, CH, D, ES, FR, IR, IT, PL, UK 3/27 (11.1%) CH, ES, FR Language Barrier 16/27 (59.2%) CH, D, ES, FR, IR, IT, PL, T, UK 5/27 (18.5%) CH, D, FR, IR, UK Cultural Barrier 15/27 (55.5%) CH, ES, FR, IR, IT, P, UK 5/27 (18.5%) FR, IR, IT Lack of Knowledge about HIV 14/27 (51.8%) CH, D, ES, FR, IR, IT, P, PL, UK 2/27 (7.4%) D, ES Uncertainty about entitlement to healthcare in host country 14/27 (51.8%) D, ES, FR, IR, IT, PL 1/27 (3.7%) IR Illegal Status 13/27 (48.1%) D, IR, IT, P, PL, T, UK 5/27 (18.5%) IT, P, PL, T, UK B- Belgium, CH- Switzerland, D- Germany, ES- Spain, FR- France, GR- Greece, IR- Ireland, IT- Italy, P- Portugal, PL- Poland, RO- Romania, RUS- Russia, T- Turkey, UK- United Kingdom Conclusions: Many HIV prevention interventions are not free of charge within Europe. Stigma, discrimination, and cultural /language differences were common barriers to healthcare access and lead to late HIV diagnosis amongst migrant women. Healthcare education, universal access to free healthcare and enhanced community involvement are suggested interventions to improve healthcare for migrant women in Europe. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 4 19TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE | WARSAW 2023
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