Advancing Migrant Access to Health Services in Europe (AMASE): Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study

• DOI: 10.2196/resprot.5085
• Publication Date: 2016-05-16T13:03:30Z
• Authors: Ibidun Fakoya; Débora Álvarez-de...; Susana Monge; Andrew J Copas; Anne-Francoise Ge...; Alain Volny-Anne; Siri Göpel; Giota Touloumi; Maria Prins; Henrique Barros; Cornelia Staehelin; Julia del Amo; Fiona M Burns
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Background: Migrants form a substantial proportion of the population affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Europe, yet HIV prevention for this is hindered poor understanding access to care and postmigration transmission dynamics. Objective: We present design methods advancing Migrant Access health Services Europe (aMASE) study, first European cross-cultural study focused on multiple migrant populations. It aims identify structural, cultural, financial barriers prevention, diagnosis, treatment determine likely country acquisition HIV-positive Methods: delivered 2 cross-sectional electronic surveys across 10 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom). A clinic survey aimed recruit up 2000 patients from 57 clinics 9 countries. unique number linked anonymized questionnaire data clinical records (viral loads, CD4 cell counts, viral clades, etc). This was developed expert panel consensus cognitively tested, pilot carried out Web-based community (n=1000) reached those living with but not currently accessing clinics, as well HIV-negative migrants. close collaboration advisory group (CAG) made representatives organizations participating The CAG played key role collection promoting higher-risk groups (sub-Saharan Africans, Latin Americans, men who have sex men, people inject drugs). questionnaires considerable content overlap, allowing comparison. Questions cover ethnicity, migration, immigration status, testing treatment, health-seeking behavior, sexual risk, drug use. questionnaires, which were available 15 languages, allowed complex routing, preventing respondents answering irrelevant questions. Results: In total, we recruited 2249 participants part retrieved 1637 complete responses survey. Conclusions: findings will provide much-needed information improving interventions services communities.