HIV vulnerability and sexual risk among African youth in Windsor, Canada

Abstract

This paper reports on an exploratory study of the sexual behaviour of young Africans living in Windsor, Canada. Twenty-five face-to-face interviews were conducted with thirteen men and twelve women aged 18 to 25 years. Data analysis enabled the identification of four main themes: awareness and concerns about STIs/HIV; partner's influence on negotiating sex or discussing sexual matters; effects of migration and availability of healthcare on perceptions of own risk and assumptions about HIV prevalence in Canada; and discomfort talking about sex. Findings highlight the influence of gender power in determining the nature of sexual activities and outcomes, as well as risky sexual behaviours. Future actions to decrease HIV transmission in Canada should address these issues in ways that are culturally sensitive and culturally inclusive.

Narratives of sexual health risk and protection amongst young people from refugee backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia

“…In this context, the need to belong and the risks of social exclusion cannot be underestimated. These findings are aligned with previous research, which suggests that health-related knowledge and behaviours are produced through the connections between individuals, social contexts and everyday experience (Omorodion, Gbadebo, and Ishak 2007;Roberts et al 2005;Senior, Chenhall, and Richard 2008).…”

“…While the sexual health concerns of refugee youth are similar to those of other young people (Bakopanos and Gifford 2001), their refugee backgrounds and the resettlement context contribute to challenges in learning about and negotiating sexual health (Omorodion, Gbadebo, and Ishak 2007). Young people require opportunities to increase awareness of sexual and reproductive health.…”

“…The limited research on sexual and reproductive health of refugees in countries of resettlement focuses on adults and predominantly on women (Ascoly, Van Halsema, and Keysers 2001;Straus, McEwen, and Hussein 2009) and HIV/AIDS (Beckwith et al 2009;Nisbet, Reeve and Ellis-Pegler 2007;Novikov and Jehuda-Cohen 2009;Worth 2006). With few exceptions (Elden, Bedding, and MacDonald 2003;Omorodion, Gbadebo, and Ishak 2007;Wilson, Sanders, and Dumper 2007) little research has focused on the sexual and reproductive health of resettled adolescents.…”

“…For resettled refugees, understandings of sexual health are informed by experiences of displacement, cultural dislocation and the challenges of remaking life in a new country (Coventry et al 2002;Gifford and Temple-Smith 2005;Omorodion, Gbadebo, and Ishak 2007). This paper explores the ways that unsanctioned sexual relationships, STIs and unplanned pregnancy not only threaten physical health, but also lead to social stigma and undermine the social fabric that connects already fragile families and communities.…”

Correlates of Condom Use Among Somali and Ethiopian Immigrants in the U.S.

“…The observed level of condom use may be reflective of the perceived notion that condom use is expected in casual sexual encounters, but not in steady relationships [30,53], or it could be because of the lower perceived risks for HIV transmission in the U.S. than immigrant's country of birth [54]. Moreover, when immigrants move to a new country they may also bring values, beliefs, and cultures that could negatively influence condom use [55].…”