By Ntuv Tunka

A community Forum examining the clinical issues and prevalence of HIV/AIDS and new immigrants was held at the Haille Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul. The forum which was specifically for all immigrants and refugee service providers was organized by the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Aids Project.

The forum provided basic information about HIV/AIDS, its prevalence in Minnesota, and the clinical issues involving new immigrants living with HIV/AIDS. The Minnesota Aids Project reports that one new infection nearly everyday in Minnesota, while experts on the disease estimate that approximately 2,500 Minnesotans have HIV and don’t know it.

State Department of Health records as of December 2006 indicate estimate that 5,566 persons assumed alive and living in Minnesota with HIV/AIDS. Of this number, 3,105 are living with the HIV infection (non-AIDS) and the rest-2,461 living with AIDS. These numbers include 920 persons who were first reported with HIV or AIDS elsewhere and subsequently moved to Minnesota, and excludes 860 persons who were first reported with HIV or AIDS in Minnesota and subsequently moved out of the state.

HealthPartners Specialty Center ID Clinic’s records show that among the African immigrant community in Minnesota, Ethiopians are the most infected with close to 40 Ethiopians living with HIV/AIDS, followed by Cameroonians-about 13 living with HIV/AIDS, and Ghanaians, Zambians, Rwandans, Tanzanians, and Sierra Leoneans with the least number of persons infected with the disease-just 1 each.

Organizers of the forum identified some barriers especially affecting new immigrants that hinders successful participation in clinic and in their healthcare that gives them (those infected) the best possible quality of life. These clinical issues or barriers identified include but not limited to; language, family support, transportation, public assistance, immigration/legal, remaining in care, disease progression, medication, stigma, preventive care, employment, housing, mental health, HIV sub types, palliative care, and somatic complaints.

The stress and uneasiness that results from these clinical issues causes major problems for newly infected immigrants. To this, the forum organizers advised that to overcome the effects of the disease, newly infected should build strong, supportive, and trusting relationship with and HIV/AIDS doctor, case manager, and support group; avoid doing things that will make you regret later, get information about your HIV/AIDS; exercise regularly and maintain good nutrition; and seek a sense of belonging outside of HIV/AIDS as well as get a therapist.

Trainers during the forum included Martin Cole-Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility and the Minnesota Client Security Board, Lynn Mickelson-Manager of the Minnesota AIDS Project Legal Program, Angela Bortel-staff attorney with the Women’s Program of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Speakers also included: Antonio Marante, Health Educator, West Side Community Health Services; Dr. Alvine Siaka, Executive Director, African Health Action Corporation; Dr. Zahra Niccu Tafarrodi, Executive Director, International Health Education Alliance; Dr. Monica Yugu, HIV Counselor, Hennepin County Medical Center; and Timothy Himango, HealthPartners Medical Social Worker.