Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Queensland Sudanese Communities

Abstract

Little is known about the post arrival sexual health related issues affecting young refugee background Australians and how they interact with their parents, partners, and peers regarding these culturally sensitive topics. Without an understanding of what influences their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, sexual decision making, and behavioural intent, it is difficult to determine this group’s sexual health needs. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the sexual health knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and behaviour of the 16-24 year old Queensland Sudanese community members. This research also explored the broader Queensland Sudanese community’s attitudes and beliefs and the intergenerational factors perceived to be influencing sexual health literacy, patterns of behaviour, and health service utilisation. This descriptive research was conducted using a four phase convergent parallel mixed methods design. Extensive community consultation was undertaken during Phase 1 Project conceptualisation; Phase 2 Pilot study assessed the feasibility of the proposed research process; Phase 3 involved concurrent data collection and analysis from three equally weighted parallel strands; and Phase 4 the convergence and interpretation of Phase 3 data. The Phase 3 parallel strands included: (i) a written survey with 16-24 year old community members; (ii) interviews with a sub-sample of the survey participants; and (iii) five community focus group discussions (FGD) with adults. The National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health (NSASSSH) tool was adapted for use in this study. Descriptive, correlational, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance statistics were used to analyse the survey data. Following separate concurrent thematic analysis of the qualitative data, the convergence and triangulation of strand data were conducted, without transformation, via a process of comparing and contrasting the independent findings.