Recommendations for Developing Contextually Relevant HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies Targeting African-Born Immigrants and Refugees in the United States

Abstract

African-born immigrants and refugees have HIV infection rates six times higher than any other minority groups in the United States. Despite the increase in the population size and diversity of Somali immigrants and refugees in the United States, Somalis are one of the medically underserved population subgroups in this region. The lack of aggregate HIV infection rates among African-born immigrants, for example, Somali refugees, is a cause for alarm and calls for more research to be conducted in this subgroup. The purpose of this article was to examine contextually relevant HIV prevention strategies that will enhance HIV prevention among Somali immigrant/refugee young adults in the United States. Using the grounded theory approach, a convenience sample of 27 immigrant/refugee young adults was recruited in central Ohio. Recommendations for potential HIV prevention strategies emerged under two main categories: (1) internal community resources and (2) external platforms. Study findings support a collaborative approach involving community leaders (parents, elders, religious leaders) and educational (schools), media, and healthcare settings to tailor HIV prevention strategies that meet the needs of the priority group.