Perceived barriers to seeking medical care among middle-aged and older men and women in the British Virgin Islands

OBJECTIVE: This paper seeks to identify the perceived barriers to seeking medical care among middle-aged and older people in the British Virgin Islands. DESIGN AND METHODS: The data for this study were taken from 244 middle-aged and older men (44.3%) and women (55.7%) who were recruited and interviewed for a study on the situation of ageing in the BVIs. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was used to identify the underlying factor structure in perceived barriers to care. RESULTS: A 3-factor model was extracted (service acceptability; geographic accessibility and service affordability/availability) accounting for approximately 65% of the variance in responses. CONCLUSION: On the demand-side, there was need for a study accessing unmet needs for medical services. On the supply-side, there was a need to investigate the barriers faced by the government in providing needed services and supplies.

HIV/AIDS surveillance in the British Virgin Islands (BVI): a critical assessment

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an assessment of HIV/AIDS surveillance data in the British Virgin Islands. DESIGN AND METHODS: Existing HIV/AIDS surveillance data were examined and a literature review on HIV/AIDS in the British Virgin Islands was conducted. RESULTS: Since 1985, there have been 117 cases reported to the Ministry of Health & Social Development. However, there is a paucity of knowledge about the socio-cultural, demographic, ideological and behavioural factors driving the epidemic in this dependent micro-state. CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS surveillance was not consistent with best international and regional practices.

Attitude toward older people taking the HIV-test among a sample of middle-aged and older people in the British Virgin Islands

OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on middle-aged and older people’s attitude toward older people taking the HIV-test by examining the effect of sociodemographic and HIV-related factors on their agreement with the statement “There is no reason for older people to take the HIV-test because younger ones are more likely to be infected than older ones”. DESIGN AND METHODS: Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistics were used to analyse the data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of sociodemographic and HIV/AIDS related factors on attitude toward older people taking the HIV-test. RESULTS: 64.4% of the participants were born in the Virgin Islands; the average age is 65.3 years; 49.7% had at least a secondary level education; 62.5% were married or in a cohabiting relationship; 63.8% lived in male-headed households. 54.8% strongly disagreed with the notion that older people do not have to be tested because younger ones are more at risk for infection. Bivariate examination showed a significant association between attitude toward older people taking the HIV-test and place of birth; age; education; age of head of the household; religious participation, type of relationship; employment status and number of children; as well as HIV/AIDS-related factors. In binary logistic regression analysis, the two most important influences in attitude toward older people taking the HIV-test were education and agreement with the idea that HV can be prevented by always using condoms with a person who is not your spouse. CONCLUSION: There may be a need to scale up HIV services for the older adult.