Sociocultural aspects of AIDS in an urban peripheral area of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Abstract

This study aimed to gain a better understanding of the social dynamics—migration, urbanization, the status of women, education—related to AIDS in an urban peripheral area of Abidjan. Structured interviews were administered to 420 people, selected through cluster random sampling. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were performed with key-informants. The results show that 26.9% of the interviewees are foreigners and 40% of all people interviewed participate in ethnic associations. Knowledge of AIDS is associated with age, gender, educational level and purchasing power. Those who are generally better informed about AIDS are: younger people; people with a higher education; and wealthier people. Men respond correctly to questions more frequently than women. French, the chosen language of the education campaigns, is not understood by 18% of the immigrants, and when considering only immigrant women, the figure increases to 38%. Particular attention should be paid to the design of health education messages and strategies for specific groups, such as non-educated people, women and immigrants. Care must also be taken to match the language used to the target population. Ethnic associations constitute an important starting point, particularly in relation to their use by immigrants, and these should be involved in educational programmes.