Differences in sexual behaviour and condom use among cocaine and opioid injectors in Santos, Toronto and London

Health Promotion: Results of focus groups with African-American men

BACKGROUND: Almost half (49%) of the people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States (US) are African-Americans. Although African-Americans represent only about 13% of the overall population, they continue to account for a higher proportion of cases at all stages of HIV/AIDS. Most documented interventions targeting the African-American population have focused on women, children, men who have sex with men or drug addicts. METHODS: Six focus group sessions with African-American men (39) and women (15) were conducted in a heterogeneously populated American city. We used a pre-focus group questionnaire to collect data about the socio-economic background of the participants. In our focus group sessions we examined the feasibility of instituting a health promotion program for African-American men. RESULTS: The men who participated in the sessions showed great interest in attending the health promotion program. They had no prior knowledge of positive behavioral practices that could promote their individual health and well-being. HIV infection rates in the African-American population remain the highest in the US. CONCLUSION: The results of our focus group sessions showed that the heterosexual African-American men were eager to learn how to protect themselves against communicable and non-communicable diseases in health promotion programs.

Using focus groups to investigate the educational needs of female injecting heroin users in Taiwan in relation to HIV/AIDS prevention

This study investigated educational needs of female injecting heroin users in Taiwan relating to HIV/AIDS prevention via six focus group discussions in a prison. All sessions were audio-taped with respondents' consent and the discussions transcribed verbatim. The findings indicated that respondents had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS, but held misconceptions regarding the modes of HIV transmission. Many respondents who did not perceive themselves susceptible to AIDS rarely used condoms and occasionally shared needles. Stigma surrounding AIDS is pervasive among respondents and they considered contracting cancer would be preferable to having AIDS; the latter could precipitate suicide. Lastly, many respondents had no confidence in assurances of confidentiality regarding HIV testing. Issues of misconceptions, high-risk behaviors, stigma surrounding AIDS and confidentiality of HIV testing must be addressed in appropriate HIV/AIDS education programmes with respect to the needs of female injecting heroin users.