Using peer education to increase sexual health knowledge among West African refugees in Western Australia
Drummond, P.D.; Mizan, A.; Brocx, K.; Wright, B.
Health Care for Women International 32(3): 190-205
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0739-9332 PMID: 21337242 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2010.529215Document Number: 218562
Ten bilingual West African peer educators conducted a 3-hour workshop on sexual health for small groups of West African refugees (N = 58) who recently had settled in Perth, Western Australia. There were significant increases in the participants' knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, how these infections are spread, and how to protect against infection. In addition, attitudes toward condom use became more positive. We conclude that the peer-education approach was successful in assisting a new and emerging community to work effectively on sexual health topics generally considered "taboo" or too sensitive to discuss.