If I went to my mom with that information, I'm dead. Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Knowledge among immigrant Somali Youth in Ohio

Background: Columbus, Ohio has the second largest Somali community in the U.S.A., (approximately 45,000 people). This community has unmet health needs which are complicated by language and cultural barriers. Purpose: This pilot study examines the barriers to acquisition of sexual health knowledge in Somali youth in Columbus with the long-term goal of developing culturally appropriate education. Method: The grounded theory approach was employed whereby semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 male and 14 female immigrant Somali youth aged 18-25. Interviews were analyzed using a constant comparison process. Results: Five broad categories emerged: religion, culture, school, family, and protection against HIV.  Within these emerging categories, findings revealed that female participants had an incomplete knowledge of HIV and sexual health although they had received some information at school. Women expressed concerns about the adequacy of their knowledge.  Men expressed confidence in their knowledge although they were not more accurate than women. All participants discussed concerns that sex and HIV were taboo topics within the community. Many suggested that religious/community leaders and parents should be educated and engaged in open and informed discussions about sexual health and HIV to help reduce stigma.  Conclusion: Given the increase in incidence of HIV and other STIs among youth in the USA, a concerted effort is needed within the Somali youth immigrant community to enhance awareness of HIV prevention in a culturally sensitive manner. Particulary, providing HIV education training to Somail immigrant/refugee religious and community leaders and parents may be a unique avenue to minimize existing taboos and reach out to the Somali immigrant youth who lack accurate and adequate information on HIV prevention.