HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan
Abstract Background Accurate information is essential so that HIV infection can be detected in time for initiation of HIV/AIDS treatment. Immigrants are at high risk for delayed HIV testing and diagnosis, but foreign residents in Japan also seem to face barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS care. We aimed...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17308-w |
| _version_ | 1797376774932267008 |
|---|---|
| author | Shiho Nagai Teruyo Kitahara Katsuyuki Kito Masahito Hitosugi |
| author_facet | Shiho Nagai Teruyo Kitahara Katsuyuki Kito Masahito Hitosugi |
| author_sort | Shiho Nagai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Accurate information is essential so that HIV infection can be detected in time for initiation of HIV/AIDS treatment. Immigrants are at high risk for delayed HIV testing and diagnosis, but foreign residents in Japan also seem to face barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS care. We aimed to assess their knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of public health centers in Japan (PHCs), and to explore factors related to these items. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of Brazilians, the largest group of foreigners living in Shiga, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey in Brazilian Portuguese and Japanese via the Internet and mail. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors related to “Knowledge of HIV/AIDS” and “Awareness of PHCs”. Results A total 182 Brazilians responded. More than half of them were beginners in Japanese. Most respondents were familiar with HIV/AIDS, but only 58% knew the existence of PHCs, and only 25% knew that HIV testing is available at PHCs free of charge and anonymously. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that PHCs were less recognized by those with intermediate (odds ratio: 5.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.53–21.23) and beginner (odds ratio: 6.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.98–23.45) Japanese proficiency than by those with advanced. Conclusions This survey revealed the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of PHC among Brazilians in Shiga. Their lack of awareness of PHCs due to language barriers may lead to delays in HIV testing among them. Therefore, it is important for PHCs to disseminate information about medical services related to HIV/AIDS in Portuguese and plain Japanese to facilitate their access to HIV testing. However, PHC efforts alone are not enough. Medical interpreters who are familiar with Brazilian culture and customs, and the clinics that employ them, could help the Brazilian community and PHCs to overcome the language barrier and provide efficient and appropriate medical care to Brazilians. This would be one way to eliminate delays in HIV testing for Brazilians in Shiga. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:43:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-77d61dd99d384bee8addf78d7c4bf6e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:43:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-77d61dd99d384bee8addf78d7c4bf6e42023-12-24T12:31:27ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-11-0123111010.1186/s12889-023-17308-wHIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in JapanShiho Nagai0Teruyo Kitahara1Katsuyuki Kito2Masahito Hitosugi3Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social Medicine, Shiga University of Medical ScienceDivision of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social Medicine, Shiga University of Medical ScienceDepartment of Hematology, Shiga University of Medical ScienceDivision of Legal Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Shiga University of Medical ScienceAbstract Background Accurate information is essential so that HIV infection can be detected in time for initiation of HIV/AIDS treatment. Immigrants are at high risk for delayed HIV testing and diagnosis, but foreign residents in Japan also seem to face barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS care. We aimed to assess their knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of public health centers in Japan (PHCs), and to explore factors related to these items. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of Brazilians, the largest group of foreigners living in Shiga, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey in Brazilian Portuguese and Japanese via the Internet and mail. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors related to “Knowledge of HIV/AIDS” and “Awareness of PHCs”. Results A total 182 Brazilians responded. More than half of them were beginners in Japanese. Most respondents were familiar with HIV/AIDS, but only 58% knew the existence of PHCs, and only 25% knew that HIV testing is available at PHCs free of charge and anonymously. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that PHCs were less recognized by those with intermediate (odds ratio: 5.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.53–21.23) and beginner (odds ratio: 6.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.98–23.45) Japanese proficiency than by those with advanced. Conclusions This survey revealed the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and awareness of PHC among Brazilians in Shiga. Their lack of awareness of PHCs due to language barriers may lead to delays in HIV testing among them. Therefore, it is important for PHCs to disseminate information about medical services related to HIV/AIDS in Portuguese and plain Japanese to facilitate their access to HIV testing. However, PHC efforts alone are not enough. Medical interpreters who are familiar with Brazilian culture and customs, and the clinics that employ them, could help the Brazilian community and PHCs to overcome the language barrier and provide efficient and appropriate medical care to Brazilians. This would be one way to eliminate delays in HIV testing for Brazilians in Shiga.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17308-wHIV testingLanguage barrierForeign residentsBraziliansPublic health center in JapanQuestionnaire survey |
| spellingShingle | Shiho Nagai Teruyo Kitahara Katsuyuki Kito Masahito Hitosugi HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan BMC Public Health HIV testing Language barrier Foreign residents Brazilians Public health center in Japan Questionnaire survey |
| title | HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan |
| title_full | HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan |
| title_fullStr | HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan |
| title_short | HIV/AIDS knowledge level, awareness of public health centers and related factors: a cross-sectional study among Brazilians in Japan |
| title_sort | hiv aids knowledge level awareness of public health centers and related factors a cross sectional study among brazilians in japan |
| topic | HIV testing Language barrier Foreign residents Brazilians Public health center in Japan Questionnaire survey |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17308-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shihonagai hivaidsknowledgelevelawarenessofpublichealthcentersandrelatedfactorsacrosssectionalstudyamongbraziliansinjapan AT teruyokitahara hivaidsknowledgelevelawarenessofpublichealthcentersandrelatedfactorsacrosssectionalstudyamongbraziliansinjapan AT katsuyukikito hivaidsknowledgelevelawarenessofpublichealthcentersandrelatedfactorsacrosssectionalstudyamongbraziliansinjapan AT masahitohitosugi hivaidsknowledgelevelawarenessofpublichealthcentersandrelatedfactorsacrosssectionalstudyamongbraziliansinjapan |