Reaching Haitian Americans Living With HIV/AIDS: Met and Unmet Health Care Needs

Abstract

While HIV shows no discrimination, the Haitian American community is overrepresented among groups affected by HIV/AIDS and yet remains underserved in health care and social services. The purpose of this study is to explore the met and unmet health care needs of Haitian Americans living with HIV/AIDS. This study reports the findings of an in-depth qualitative study that explored the experiences of 150 Haitian Americans infected with or affected by HIV. Findings indicated misinformation on HIV/AIDS, distrust for service providers among the participants, stigma impacts health-seeking behavior, and a need for providing culturally informed services. To ensure that Haitian Americans living with HIV/AIDS access appropriate services, health care providers need to ensure their programs and staff address cultural attitudes, beliefs, and expectations. In particular, clinicians should demonstrate respect; provide confidentiality and privacy, and address language barriers, transportation needs, housing, and family needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Haitian Americans
• HIV/AIDS
• health care needs
• health outcomes
• health disparities

Notes

^a Spouses, parents, children, or household members of person with HIV.

^b Among those members of the sample with HIV, 51% were women and 49% were men. Among those members of the samples affected by HIV, 62% were women and 37% were men.