Gaceta Sanitaria
Volume 23, Issue 6, 2009, Pages 533-538

Knowledge of HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases in Latin American and Maghrebi immigrants in Catalonia (Spain) [Conocimiento sobre el VIH y las infecciones de transmisión sexual en inmigrantes latinoamericanos y magrebíes en Cataluña] (Article) (Open Access)

Ríos E. , Ferrer L. , Casabona J.* , Caylá J. , Avecilla A. , Gómez I Prat J. , Edison J. , Pérez O. , García S. , Torán P. , Ruiz M. , Gros T. , Rodríguez L. , Arribas D. , Folch C. , Esteve A.
  • a Centre d'Estudis Epidemiologics sobre les infecciones de transmision sexual i sida de Catalunya (CEE, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain
  • b Centre d'Estudis Epidemiologics sobre les infecciones de transmision sexual i sida de Catalunya (CEE, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
  • c Centre d'Estudis Epidemiologics sobre les infecciones de transmision sexual i sida de Catalunya (CEE, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain, Departament de Medicina Preventiva i Salut Pública, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
  • d CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
  • e Centre d'Atenció a la Salut Sexual i Reproductiva (CASSIR), Badalona Servicios Asistenciales, Badalona (Barcelona), Spain
  • f Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
  • g Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
  • h Centre d'Atenció Primària El Fondo, Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Barcelona), Spain
  • i Centre d'Atenció Primària Raval Sud, Barcelona, Spain
  • j Centre d'Atenció Primària Gatassa, Spain, Unitat de Suport a la Recerca d'Atenció Primària del Barcelonès Nord i Maresme, IDIAP Jordi Gol
  • k Centre d'Atenció Primària Gatassa, Spain, Unitat de Suport a la Recerca d'Atenció Primària del Barcelonès Nord i Maresme, IDIAP Jordi Gol
  • l Centre d'Atenció Primària Ronda Cerdanya, Spain
  • m Centre d'Atenció Primària Ronda Cerdanya, Spain
  • n Centre d'Atenció Primària Premià de Mar, Spain
  • o Centre d'Estudis Epidemiologics sobre les infecciones de transmision sexual i sida de Catalunya (CEE, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
  • p Centre d'Estudis Epidemiologics sobre les infecciones de transmision sexual i sida de Catalunya (CEE, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To describe and compare levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and condom use in the immigrant population. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study by means of a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to face interviews in 238 Latin American and Maghrebi users of medical centers in the Barcelona and North Barcelona-Maresme health areas. The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables and questions on sexual behavior and general knowledge about HIV/AIDS, transmission mechanisms, and means of prevention. A logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants of 'inadequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS'. Results: A total of 53.8% of interviewees had inadequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Univariate analysis showed inadequate knowledge to be associated with being from the Maghreb, not living in Barcelona, being without work and not having educational qualifications. Multivariate analysis revealed that the only variables significantly associated with inadequate knowledge were being from the Maghreb as opposed to being from Latin America (OR=4.99; 95% CI: 2.74-5.10) and being unemployed as opposed to being employed (OR=2.59; 95% IC: 1.42-4.73). Condoms were seen as an effective prevention method, but 42.1% of interviewees did not use them in occasional relationships. Conclusions: Knowledge of routes of HIV transmission should be improved and mistaken ideas about infection should be eliminated among Latin American and Maghrebi immigrants. The immigrant population is a vulnerable group that ought to be prioritized to promote prevention programs adapted to its linguistic and cultural specificities. Evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions performed is essential to monitor lack of information, mistaken ideas and sexual behavior in this group. © 2008 SESPAS.

Author Keywords

Attitudes Sexually transmitted infections AIDS Knowledge HIV Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) studies Immigration Sexual behavior

Index Keywords

urban population unemployment educational status South and Central America HIV Infections Latin America sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection multicenter study psychological aspect clinical trial human middle aged statistics condom Condoms comparative study ethnology sexually transmitted disease Cross-Sectional Studies Sexually Transmitted Diseases Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female Socioeconomic Factors Africa socioeconomics questionnaire Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article Questionnaires adult Africa, Northern migration Utilization Review attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70450224685&doi=10.1016%2fj.gaceta.2008.09.010&partnerID=40&md5=8c0457a884b9714c8fd65b42b6ab84bb
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2008.09.010
ISSN: 02139111
Cited by: 16
Original Language: Spanish