142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

297576
Sexuality and HIV Prevention: Perspectives from Somali Women Living in Minnesota

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Shanda Hunt, MPH , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Amanda Ciesinski, MS , Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Concordia University
Beatrice "Bean" E. Robinson, PhD , Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Jennifer J. Connor, PhD , Department of Counseling and Community Psychology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
Background:  Minnesota has become home to the largest concentration of Somalis in the United States.  Little information is available outlining how Somali culture defines sexuality for resettled female Somali refugees living in the U.S.  This is the first known study to collect pilot information regarding sensitive sexual information related to HIV transmission, testing, and knowledge among Somali women residing in the United States.  Method:  We used a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach to conduct 30 semi-structured interviews with local Somali women aged 18-40.  In order to holistically understand the HIV risk, a full range of sexual behaviors and attitudes were assessed.  Interview transcripts were analyzed for themes using standard qualitative analysis protocols.  Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe frequency of attitudes or behaviors, as well as scores on an HIV Transmission Knowledge Scale.   Results:  Findings indicate high rates of HIV testing, low engagement in risky behaviors, acceptance of condom use, and moderate knowledge of HIV transmission.  Negative community response to our study was an unexpected result.  We found that our successful research strategies were using a CBPR approach and utilizing a community advisory board, whereas our barriers included introduction of controversial topics (sexual orientation and handing out condoms) and our interviewer’s age (late 20’s).  There was a high value placed on HIV education.  Conclusions:  Findings highlight both risk and protective factors for Somali women in regards to HIV transmission.  Although Somali women may value privacy regarding topics of sexuality and HIV, they express openness to HIV prevention education.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate understanding of the potential HIV risk and protective factors of Somali women living in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Describe successful strategies and barriers for conducting sexuality research in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Somali community. Generate new ideas for future research or education of this population.

Keyword(s): Community-Based Research (CBPR), Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the study coordinator for the Somali Women’s Initiative for Sexual Health study for the past four years. I oversee the study operations which include establishing contacts within the Somali community, working directly with the project’s Somali community partner, and organizing, presenting, and writing up study results. My professional interests lie in sexual health, women’s health, and global health.
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.