HIV/AIDS und Aussieder aus der ehemaligen Sowjetunion : Erste Erkenntnisse über die Einstellungen und das Wissen (Bericht aus der Praxis)

BackgroundEthnic German resettlers from the former Soviet Union are one of the biggest immigrant groups to Germany. Some come from countries with a comparably high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), such as Ukraine and the Russian Federation. However, no data are available concerning this group’s knowledge or attitudes regarding HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).MethodsIn this study, 927 ethnic German resettlers in the federal state of Bavaria, Germany, were questioned in a multicentre survey through an anonymous mail-in questionnaire.ResultsOf the 927, 37.3% participated in the survey. HIV/AIDS was rated as an important or very important topic by 81.7% of the respondents, and 62.3% felt well informed or very well informed about it. Intravenous drug users (89.2%), commercial sex workers (78%), and men who have sex with men (76%) were mentioned as risk groups for HIV/AIDS. Syringes/needles (97%), vaginal (82.5%), anal (65.1%), and oral (50%) sexual intercourse were cited as HIV transmission routes. Condom use (91.6%) and use of disposable syringes/needles (79.9%) were chosen as HIV prevention measures.ConclusionsRespondents showed an acceptable HIV/AIDS knowledge level, but knowledge regarding sexual transmission routes was not always sufficient; information about conventional HIV prevention measures reaches few ethnic German resettlers.