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Abstract
Background
Displacement has been associated with an increased risk of HIV transmission. In light of the lack of data from Libya on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS knowledge, the effort was undertaken to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes towards HIV and condom use in Libyan internally displaced males (IDPs) in Tripoli.
Methods
Cross-sectional study design using purposive sampling to identify internally displaced Libyan males from five camps in Tripoli. HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes towards HIV and condom use, and prevention practices were evaluated through a self-administered, close/ended anonymous questionnaire in Arabic.
Results
The study population consisted of 390 participants, all Muslims, with a mean age of 32.81 years (SD = 8.93). Overall, the average HIV and prevention knowledge score was 6.34 (SD = 1.98). The majority of the respondents thereby had an insufficient or low knowledge’ level of HIV and prevention knowledge (58.70%). The mean attitude score indicated overall a negative attitude towards condom use (Mean = 32.60, SD = 7.97).
Conclusions
This is the first biobehavioral survey among IDPs in Libya demonstrating a low level of HIV and prevention knowledge as well as a prevailing negative attitude level of HIV/AIDS and condom use.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like give expressions their gratitude to the health care professionals at the Center for Disease Control for their generosity and invaluable assistance in collecting data and retrieving charts and to Dr. Pyae Linn Aung for supporting the data analysis.
Disclosure statement
FE, WK, YM and TP have no conflict of interest to report. JKR has received honoraria for consulting or speaking at educational events from Abbvie, Boehringer, Gilead, Merck, Janssen, and ViiV.