By MONICA KAYOMBO,Zambia,Lusaka
A mixed-studies review of migrant experiences has revealed that HIV care cascade found language barriers as a key obstacle to HIV testing, linkage, adherence, and retention, contributing to poorer viral suppression and increased stigma.
In the latest Lancet journal, it has been discovered that language is foundational to HIV care.
“Whether eliciting sexual histories, discussing stigma, or disclosing an initial diagnosis, the importance of clear, compassionate communication is vital. The words we use, and the specific language we employ, matter, particularly because many people living with HIV reside in countries where they do not speak the dominant language of the area,’’ part of study report reads in part.
The report explains that despite the routine need for interpreting services across clinical settings in Europe, North America, and beyond, structured assessment of language proficiency or interpreter needs remains absent from core HIV guidelines.
It says people living with HIV with limited proficiency in the dominant language of care face dominant disadvantages including failure to fully comprehend what is being communicated.
Another study that was conducted in 2024 of Asian-American people living with HIV frequently cite language discordance as a factor resulting in poorer adherence, increased stigma, and increased unmet health needs.
Refugees and asylum seekers living with HIV frequently cite language limitations as a major barrier to medication adherence and trusted patient-provider relationships.
The research report further says that the study was not only designed to capture the richness of language barrier experiences in healthcare settings but also aimed to quantify language preferences and stigma levels in People Living with HIV by using a mixed-methods study design. In total, we conducted 69 in-depth qualitative interviews with those living with the virus that were analyzed using content analysis. We used the content analysis to identify research themes (acculturation and stigma) and to identify the relationships of these two themes. Quantitative data were collected on language preference during the acculturation process and perceived and anticipated stigma via a survey
All in-depth interviews were transcribed verbatim in the speaker’s language and coded and analyzed with qualitative content analysis using the Atlas.
This study shows that people Living with HIV face language barriers when accessing and receiving HIV care in the United States (US).
In addition, results indicate those who are acculturated to the US experience less perceived stigma.
Lack of language ability may discourage those with the virus from seeking health care in the first place through its impacts on access to healthcare services and perceived potential stigma from healthcare settings, resulting in poorer medication adherence and unmet health needs.
Potential language facilitators such as family members, friends, case managers, interpreters, or healthcare providers with congruent cultural backgrounds may enhance quality of care and engagement in healthcare services.
Based on the study, the report recommends that a targeted and culturally sensitive intervention should be developed to enhance healthcare experiences in this population.
