Exploring barriers to sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV testing among young black sub-Sahara African (BSSA) communities in diaspora, UK

Nyashanu, SN, Nyashanu, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9231-0393 and Ekpenyong, MS, 2020. Exploring barriers to sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV testing among young black sub-Sahara African (BSSA) communities in diaspora, UK. Journal of Public Mental Health. ISSN 1746-5729

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Abstract

Purpose: Sexual transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with high stigma leading to poor sexual health-seeking behaviour and mental health problems. Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention has generally been successful in many communities across the world, statistics for young people have remained relatively low, especially among most affected communities such as the black sub-Sahara African (BSSA) communities. This paper aims to explore the barriers to STIs and HIV testing among young BSSA communities living in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach: The research study used an explorative qualitative approach. The study included 6 focus groups comprising 10 people each (N = 60), and 12 one-to-one follow-up interviews were held with the research participants. Two one-to-one follow-up interviews were held from each focus group (N = 12).

Findings: The study found that perceived risk taking, perceived HIV test embarrassment, sexual health professionals’ attitudes, perceived HIV as death sentence, limited educational awareness and general HIV stigma prevented research participants from testing and impacted on their mental health well-being.

Originality/value: There is a need to increase sexual health and mental health education awareness among young BSSA communities. More importantly culturally sensitive interventions to reduce the impact of HIV stigma need to be rolled out in different diverse communities. This study is the first of its kind to look at the barriers affecting young BSSA communities in accessing sexual health testing services in the UK.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Public Mental Health
Creators:	Nyashanu, S.N., Nyashanu, M. and Ekpenyong, M.S.
Publisher:	Emerald
Date:	24 August 2020
ISSN:	1746-5729
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1108/jpmh-05-2020-0038 DOI 1354609 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	24 Aug 2020 08:15
Last Modified:	31 May 2021 15:17
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/40494

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