BJSW Advance Access originally published online on August 22, 2006
British Journal of Social Work 2007 37(7):1153-1172; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcl085
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Learning from the Experiences of Ethnic Minorities Accessing HIV Services in Ireland
Maeve Foreman, Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, Dublin, worked as a senior medical social worker in the area of HIV and AIDS for over fifteen years, and was Senior Medical Social Worker in the GUIDE Clinic in St. James’ Hospital when the study referred to was undertaken. She is a member of the Care and Management Sub Committee, Irish National AIDS Strategy Committee and is on the board of Dublin AIDS Alliance.
Heather Hawthorne, now a medical social worker, was a Masters in Social Work student in Trinity College at the time her study was conducted.
Correspondence to Ms Maeve Foreman, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. E-mail: mforeman{at}tcd.ie
Since the mid-1990s, Ireland has become a more culturally diverse society. To ensure equitable, culturally sensitive services, social workers need to consult with and listen to views of service users. This paper reports on findings of two recent studies by social workers in Ireland with migrants living with HIV. It highlights how many of those newly diagnosed with HIV are from sub-Saharan African countries and still in the asylum process and discusses barriers to accessing support and integrating into Irish society. The paper points out that unless properly supported, those living with HIV may find it difficult to disclose their HIV status and highlights the importance of tackling HIV stigma. It concludes with the need to provide training for health care workers to provide culturally appropriate services, and argues against immigration policies which inhibit integration.
Keywords: asylum seekers, HIV, migrants, social work, Ireland