A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Important Gaps in HIV Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Young Asylum Seekers in Comparison to the General Population
Authors: Tiittala P, Kivela P, Liitsola K, Ollgren J, Pasanen S, Vasankari T, Ristola M
Publisher: SPRINGER
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY HEALTH
Journal acronym: J IMMIGR MINOR HEALT
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
First page : 1415
Last page: 1423
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 1557-1912
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0707-8(external)
Abstract
Migrants are disproportionately affected by HIV in many European countries, including Finland. We aimed to compare the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of young asylum seekers to those of the general young adult population. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 20- to 25-year-old young adults: The TIE study among asylum seekers (n=47) and the World AIDS Day 2014 study among the general population (n=485). Important gaps in HIV KAP were identified especially among the young asylum seekers. For the general young adult population, previous HIV testing was associated with female gender, better HIV knowledge and increased sexual activity. Health education concerning HIV needs to be further enforced among young adults in Finland. Due to poorer HIV knowledge, young asylum seekers might be especially vulnerable to HIV. The asylum process is a window of opportunity for health education and HIV testing.
Migrants are disproportionately affected by HIV in many European countries, including Finland. We aimed to compare the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of young asylum seekers to those of the general young adult population. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 20- to 25-year-old young adults: The TIE study among asylum seekers (n=47) and the World AIDS Day 2014 study among the general population (n=485). Important gaps in HIV KAP were identified especially among the young asylum seekers. For the general young adult population, previous HIV testing was associated with female gender, better HIV knowledge and increased sexual activity. Health education concerning HIV needs to be further enforced among young adults in Finland. Due to poorer HIV knowledge, young asylum seekers might be especially vulnerable to HIV. The asylum process is a window of opportunity for health education and HIV testing.
UTU Research Portal