What do African new settlers in New Zealand 'know' about HIV? y.

Aim: To demonstrate the differences between objective and operational knowledges of HIV transmission and care in Black African migrants, and how these differences may be managed in a clinical interview.

Method: This two phase national New Zealand study first estimated the resident Black African migrant population and HIV seroprevalence. The second phase collected surveys (n=703); focus groups (n=131 people) amplified the survey data. Community advisory groups comprising community leaders and people living with HIV were consulted throughout the study.

Results: Black African migrants reported good levels of basic knowledge of HIV on the survey, but demonstrated a range of culturally constructed beliefs and operational knowledge in focus groups.

Conclusion: Study findings suggest that objective knowledge assessment is not sufficient, and that a contextual approach to understanding what people 'know' is essential, not only for HIV, but for the delivery of all health care education and interventions to Black African new settlers. Routine HIV education and testing, together with staff education, may increase acceptance of these interventions.