African immigrant views of HIV service needs: Gendered perspectives

Abstract

This qualitative, community-based research study explored the influence of gender on community perceptions of HIV/AIDS service needs among African immigrant men and women in Calgary, Canada. A total of 41 key informant participants (24 male, 17 female) from 14 sub-Saharan countries completed individual, semi-structured interviews. Thematic interview analysis results produced four themes directly related to HIV and gender, including different sexual standards for men and women, condom use, infidelity, and the need for dialogue between partners on sex and HIV. Each of these themes was related to a contextual theme of “family breakdown”, which resulted from cultural adjustment challenges faced by African immigrants. For men, finding suitable employment was a key issue; for women, isolation was identified as an adjustment factor. The findings suggest that a more holistic conception of HIV prevention may be necessary for programmes to be successful and that HIV/AIDS services should be better integrated with newcomer services.

Keywords:

• African immigrants
• HIV/AIDS
• HIV services
• gender

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Jessica Leech and Josephine Mazonde at AIDS Calgary Awareness Association, and the Advisory Committee members. The study was funded by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research Program. Catherine Worthington received investigator support from the CIHR (CIHR New Investigator award).