Evaluation of an ethnic media campaign on patterns of HIV testing among people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia

Abstract

To evaluate a 2-week pilot ethnic media campaign that was implemented in 14 languages to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS and HIV testing among selected non-English speaking populations in Australia in November/December 2000. The main outcome measure was clinic attendances for the purpose of HIV testing by individuals from the target populations at one ofthree public sexual health clinics in Sydney and Melbourne prior to and immediately after the campaign. The number of HIV tests on members of the 14 target language communities attending the clinics almost doubled from 66 to 122 tests. However, as a proportion of the total number of HIV tests performed at the three clinics this increase was not significant (16.3-18.8%; P = 0.31). For both periods in 2000 the proportion of HIV tests that were performed on members of the target language group were higher than during a 1999 comparison period (10.5%, both P < 0.01). This study did not demonstrate a significant increase in testing attributable to the pilot intervention. A larger campaign, with a more extensive evaluation, would probably be needed to demonstrate a measurable effect.