Access to the Local AIDS Service Organization among African, Caribbean and Other Black Residents of Middlesex-London, Ontario, Canada

The migration of people from HIV-endemic countries has altered the demographics of the HIV epidemic in high-income countries. In Canada, most people from HIV-endemic countries are of African descent. While they are an established priority group for HIV-related services, they can face access difficulties. This study uses quantitative data from the Black, African and Caribbean Canadian Health Study to evaluate AIDS service organization access in Middlesex-London, Ontario, using the Andersen-Gelberg model for vulnerable populations and an overarching intersectionality framework. In bivariate analysis, older age, having a primary care provider, less inappropriate fear of contagion and less time in Canada were associated with greater access to the organization. After adjusting for other factors, older age and shorter time in Canada were found to be associated with greater access to care. These findings have implications for reaching community sub-groups and for linkage with health care services