Limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in sierra leone: Opportunities for intervention

Donna L. Richter; Muriel J. Harris; Ann L. Coker; Jacquie Fraser

doi:10.1016/S1055-3290(06)60262-8

Limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in sierra leone: Opportunities for intervention

Donna L. Richter
, Muriel J. Harris
, Ann L. Coker
, Jacquie Fraser

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The global pandemic of HIV/AIDS is at catastrophic levels in sub-Saharan Africa, while the need for research and treatment initiatives throughout the developing world remains critical. The West African country of Sierra Leone is representative of both of these facts. The purposes of this study were to assess the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adult Sierra Leoneans to determine what type of HIV prevention efforts are needed in this population and to determine how such efforts could be developed and implemented. Interviews with 487 adults residing in the capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, and in the Northern Province of that country revealed HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that reflect the impact of culture and tradition on the spread of HIV/AIDS. The challenges for HIV prevention raised through this study indicate the need to examine in greater depth the culturally specific use of traditional healers and traditional theater as channels of information that could serve to make HIV prevention initiatives more effective in Sierra Leone.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	48-54
Number of pages	7
Journal	The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC
Volume	12
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S1055-3290(06)60262-8
State	Published - 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was conducted in Sierra Leone, West Africa as a part of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship. Cooperation and support from the following organizations and institutions in Sierra Leone is gratefully acknowledged: the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Control Program, the Marie Stopes Clinics, the Kissy Eye and Magbil Clinics, the Connaught Hospital, the Waterloo Refugee Camp, the Port Loko Teacher's College, the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (Sierra Leone), and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown.

Funding

This study was conducted in Sierra Leone, West Africa as a part of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship. Cooperation and support from the following organizations and institutions in Sierra Leone is gratefully acknowledged: the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Control Program, the Marie Stopes Clinics, the Kissy Eye and Magbil Clinics, the Connaught Hospital, the Waterloo Refugee Camp, the Port Loko Teacher's College, the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (Sierra Leone), and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown.

Funders
Connaught Hospital
Kissy Eye and Magbil Clinics
Marie Stopes Clinics
National AIDS Control Program
Port Loko Teacher's College
Society for Women and AIDS in Africa
Waterloo Refugee Camp
Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Africa
HIV/AIDS
Sierra Leone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Access to Document

10.1016/S1055-3290(06)60262-8

Cite this

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title = "Limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in sierra leone: Opportunities for intervention",

abstract = "The global pandemic of HIV/AIDS is at catastrophic levels in sub-Saharan Africa, while the need for research and treatment initiatives throughout the developing world remains critical. The West African country of Sierra Leone is representative of both of these facts. The purposes of this study were to assess the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adult Sierra Leoneans to determine what type of HIV prevention efforts are needed in this population and to determine how such efforts could be developed and implemented. Interviews with 487 adults residing in the capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, and in the Northern Province of that country revealed HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that reflect the impact of culture and tradition on the spread of HIV/AIDS. The challenges for HIV prevention raised through this study indicate the need to examine in greater depth the culturally specific use of traditional healers and traditional theater as channels of information that could serve to make HIV prevention initiatives more effective in Sierra Leone.",

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note = "Funding Information: This study was conducted in Sierra Leone, West Africa as a part of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship. Cooperation and support from the following organizations and institutions in Sierra Leone is gratefully acknowledged: the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Control Program, the Marie Stopes Clinics, the Kissy Eye and Magbil Clinics, the Connaught Hospital, the Waterloo Refugee Camp, the Port Loko Teacher's College, the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (Sierra Leone), and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown.",

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N1 - Funding Information: This study was conducted in Sierra Leone, West Africa as a part of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship. Cooperation and support from the following organizations and institutions in Sierra Leone is gratefully acknowledged: the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Control Program, the Marie Stopes Clinics, the Kissy Eye and Magbil Clinics, the Connaught Hospital, the Waterloo Refugee Camp, the Port Loko Teacher's College, the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (Sierra Leone), and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown.

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - The global pandemic of HIV/AIDS is at catastrophic levels in sub-Saharan Africa, while the need for research and treatment initiatives throughout the developing world remains critical. The West African country of Sierra Leone is representative of both of these facts. The purposes of this study were to assess the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adult Sierra Leoneans to determine what type of HIV prevention efforts are needed in this population and to determine how such efforts could be developed and implemented. Interviews with 487 adults residing in the capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, and in the Northern Province of that country revealed HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that reflect the impact of culture and tradition on the spread of HIV/AIDS. The challenges for HIV prevention raised through this study indicate the need to examine in greater depth the culturally specific use of traditional healers and traditional theater as channels of information that could serve to make HIV prevention initiatives more effective in Sierra Leone.

AB - The global pandemic of HIV/AIDS is at catastrophic levels in sub-Saharan Africa, while the need for research and treatment initiatives throughout the developing world remains critical. The West African country of Sierra Leone is representative of both of these facts. The purposes of this study were to assess the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adult Sierra Leoneans to determine what type of HIV prevention efforts are needed in this population and to determine how such efforts could be developed and implemented. Interviews with 487 adults residing in the capital city of Freetown, Sierra Leone, and in the Northern Province of that country revealed HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that reflect the impact of culture and tradition on the spread of HIV/AIDS. The challenges for HIV prevention raised through this study indicate the need to examine in greater depth the culturally specific use of traditional healers and traditional theater as channels of information that could serve to make HIV prevention initiatives more effective in Sierra Leone.

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AN - SCOPUS:0035462994

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Limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS in sierra leone: Opportunities for intervention

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this