265147 In Our House: An African Story Video and Curriculum

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 4:50 PM - 5:10 PM

Chioma Nnaji, MPH, MEd , Multicultural AIDS Coalition, Boston, MA
Similar to other states, Massachusetts has seen a rise in HIV infections among Sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (SSAs). The challenges to engaging SSAs in HIV services are multilayered. SSAs are often disconnected from preventive care, struggle with cultural differences, or perceive economic stability as taking priority over seeking health care. The most detrimental HIV risk factor among SSAs is stigma. In an effort to addresses these complexities, the Multicultural AIDS Coalition – Africans For Improved Access Program, a Boston-based AIDS-serving organization, developed In Our House: An African Story Video & Curriculum (IOH). It includes a step-by-step instruction manual and 25 minute video based on the journey of an African immigrant family dealing with HIV/AIDS in the US. It takes into consideration the root causes of the epidemic for Africans and incorporates cultural ways of teaching and learning. IOH is designed to provide basic information, explore real and perceived barriers to care, increase skill-levels, and shift attitudes. Achieved through a strength-based approach, IOH fosters responsibility, and requires individuals to build on the strengths of the community and normalize the issue of HIV by actively participating in an achievable solution. IOH also serves as a tool for educating service providers about cultural competency issues affecting their provision of services to this community.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1.Define the HIV/AIDS epidemic among African immigrants and refugees in the United States. 2. Explain the unique and complex barriers for engaging African immigrant and refugees into HIV prevention, screening, and treatment services. 3. Identify the key components of an evaluated cognitive and behavorial group level intervention - In Our House: An African Story Video and Curriculum.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a MPH - International Health from BUSPH and a MEd - Curriculum Development from Boston College. I developed and currently manage the first program in Massachusetts to address HIV infections among African immigrants living in Massachusetts. The program is seen by state and city agencies as precedent and is continued to be consulted by national and local agencies. I have presented at conferences about this topic and trained other professionals locally and nationally.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4382.1: Thriving Not Surviving: Self Management of Chronic Diseases-Beating the Odds