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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Desmina A. Hamilton, MPH, Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 437 HHP Building, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-617, (919) 412-8056, Dahamilt@uncg.edu and Osato F. Ogbahon, MPH, Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 825A West Henderson Street, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Over the last 15 years, more than 42,000 Liberian refugees settled in the Buduburam Refugee camp in Ghana, West Africa. The purpose of this research was to try and better understand the HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions amongst refugee adolescents and to determine how this knowledge impacts sexual decisions and beliefs. Twenty behavioral surveillance interviews were administered to refugee students attending the Children Better Way (CBW) community school. Although refugee settings and conditions place adolescents at high-risk for HIV/AIDS, this preliminary data shows that many refugee youth possess high HIV/AIDS knowledge. This knowledge was found to be associated with positive health decisions such as choosing to either abstain from sex or choosing to use condoms. When questioned on how they obtained their health knowledge, many cited billboards, outreach and education provided by CBW, and the active participation from caregivers within the camp. This data suggests that community outreach programs that educate youths about HIV/AIDS should be implemented on all refugee camps. Additionally, it's important that policy makers recognize the role caregivers play in the lives of adolescents when it comes to sexual practices. Lastly, familial, rather than sole migration, may serve as a protective factor and discourage risky behaviors and beliefs that may foster HIV/AIDS transmission.

Learning Objectives:

• This research focuses on strategies for preventing HIV/AIDS amongst adolescents within refugee camps. Participants will learn that the presence of a caregiver and HIV/AIDS education significantly impacts the health decisions adolescents make and reduces the risky behaviors that may lead to HIV/AIDS transmission.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered