Using Peer Education to Increase Sexual Health Knowledge Among West African Refugees in Western Australia

Abstract

Ten bilingual West African peer educators conducted a 3-hour workshop on sexual health for small groups of West African refugees (N = 58) who recently had settled in Perth, Western Australia. There were significant increases in the participants’ knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, how these infections are spread, and how to protect against infection. In addition, attitudes toward condom use became more positive. We conclude that the peer-education approach was successful in assisting a new and emerging community to work effectively on sexual health topics generally considered “taboo” or too sensitive to discuss.

This project was supported by the Sexual Health and Blood-Borne Virus Programme of the Health Department of Western Australia and by Healthway. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Ruth Sims, President of the West African Women's Group in Western Australia, and her team of facilitators: Josephine Doe, Kadi Ngele, Mercy Kennedy, Eveyln Saah, Yvonne Johnson, Fatmata Koromah, Elena Sesay, Richard Barney, Tijan Jusu, and Fatorma Zinnah. We also acknowledge the contributions of Fran Robinson, Cald Consulting, who developed the Information Kits used for sexual health training.

Notes

*Wilcoxon's Z = 4.74.

*Wilcoxon's Z = 2.61.

*Wilcoxon's Z = 4.23.

*Wilcoxon's Z = 4.69.

* Wilcoxon's Z = 2.74.