Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS of Sudanese and Bantu Somali immigrant women living in Omaha, Nebraska

Abstract

A needs assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS prevention was conducted among 100 Sudanese and Bantu Somali women immigrants aged 19 years and older, recruited through a community organization between April and July 2006. Information was collected by interview using interpreters to administer a 60-item test and a 116-item questionnaire that had been translated into Nuer and Arabic. Women in this study had low levels of education, poor knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention and safer sex practices, and poor attitudes to HIV/AIDS. They believe that HIV/AIDS is a punishment from God, HIV-positive people should be separated from society, carrying a condom indicates having loose morals, women should not experience sexual pleasure, and men should decide when and how to have sexual intercourse. Education, gender, and cultural beliefs are critical in the spread of HIV. Efforts to educate immigrant and displaced populations, particularly women, are essential.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de la mujer peruana sobre la infección por VIH/SIDA

“…Resultados similares se encuentran en la literatura, siendo el nivel educativo el factor asociado a buen conocimiento mencionado con mayor frecuencia en los estudios (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)24) . Tener bajo nivel educativo se asoció con mayores niveles de actitudes estigmatizantes hacia las personas viviendo con VIH/SIDA (PVVS) (19)(20)(21)(22)(23) .…”

“…En la revisión encontramos resultados similares respecto al conocimiento (8,10,11,16) ; se reporta asociación entre creencias estigmatizantes y bajo nivel socioeconómico (20,22,23) , y a mayor nivel socioeconómico se observa mayor uso de condón y menor comportamiento sexual de riesgo (8,12,14) . Residir en zona urbana se asocia con mejor conocimiento (26,29) y actitudes adecuadas sobre el tema (29) en concordancia con nuestros hallazgos.…”

“…La información existente en la literatura indica que un mayor nivel educativo (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) , mejor nivel socioeconómico (8,9,12,13) , mayor acceso a los medios de comunicación (12,14,17) y el tener empleo (15,16) están asociados con un mejor conocimiento sobre VIH/ SIDA y en menor grado con el uso consistente de condón por parte de la pareja (12,14) .…”

Planning and Implementing a Statewide Soccer HIV Awareness and Health Promotion Intervention for African-born Men Living in the United States

“…African-born individuals’ reluctance to use HIV services can be attributed to several factors: HIV stigma, lack of knowledge about available services, lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services, xenophobia, immigration issues, education, gender, economic stressors, and special employment concerns (Feresu & Smith, 2013; Foley, 2005; Venters & Ganny, 2009). African-born individuals living with HIV are isolated by the African-born community for fear of contracting the disease through casual contact.…”

“…Structural barriers for African-born individuals include the impact of immigration status on service eligibility criteria, proof of residence requirements at health centers, discrimination in medical settings, and language barriers (Blanas et al, 2012). Cultural beliefs and practices also influence the transmission of HIV by buttressing negative attitudes toward condom use and discouraging communication between partners about sexual practices (Feresu & Smith, 2013; Foley, 2005). Tackling these unique challenges will require programs and services to engage community members in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner and include approaches that decrease structural barriers within community and clinical settings.…”