HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use among Somali and Sudanese immigrants in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the knowledge, attitudes and practices among Somali and Sudanese immigrants in Denmark with regard to HIV/AIDS and condom use.


METHODS
A 78-item questionnaire, divided into five thematic sections, was given to 192 purposively selected Sudanese and Somalis of both sexes, aged 18-49, who had lived in Denmark for one or more years. It was administered in Arabic and Somali in four locations and supplemented by 13 semi-structured interviews.


RESULTS
Education, sex, and nationality, but not length of residence in Denmark, were positively associated with knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Less than half of both men and women scored more than 70% on the knowledge portion of the questionnaire, while Sudanese knew more than Somalis. Men had a more negative attitude towards condoms than women, but greater knowledge about them. One-third of the women reported never having seen or heard of a condom, and almost half had never received information about condoms. Both sexes preferred receiving such information from the TV or friends instead of family doctors or HIV-positive individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that knowledge about HIV/AIDS is low in these two Danish immigrant groups, both of which are characterized by reported incidence rates that are higher than the national average. The groups receive little information, while condom knowledge is particularly low among poorly educated women, and men have a negative attitude to condom use. The findings indicate a need for targeted, culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS information and advice.
Lazarus
Jeffrey V
JV
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden. jeffrey.lazarus@med.lu.se
Himedan
Himedan Mohammed
HM
Østergaard
Lise Rosendal
LR
Liljestrand
Jerker
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D013397:Sudan / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires