ORIGINAL PAPER HIV Knowledge Among Canadian-Born and Sub-Saharan African-Born Patients Living with HIV Heather E. Tulloch • Louise Balfour • John Kowal • Georgio A. Tasca • Jonathan B. Angel • Gary Garber • Paul MacPherson • Curtis Cooper • D. W. Cameron Published online: 4 June 2011 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract Research has revealed differences on scales measuring HIV knowledge between individuals from var- ious ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Few studies have examined this knowledge with immigrant populations and persons living with HIV. This study examined HIV knowledge among persons living with HIV who were either born in Canada or in sub-Saharan Africa and, for comparison, in a sample of college students. All partici- pants were residing in Canada. Participants completed questionnaires measuring demographic variables, sexual health behaviour, and HIV status, treatment, and knowl- edge. Canadian-born patients living with HIV were more likely to be older and male than the other groups. On average, patients living with HIV were diagnosed 6.4 years ago, and 80% reported having current or previous experi- ence taking HIV medications. After adjusting for age and gender, significant differences were found between the groups on the Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire. Canadian-born persons living with HIV (n = 110) scored higher than sub-Saharan African-born patients (n = 23) and college students (n = 81); mean percentage correct was 86, 70, and 62%, respectively (P \ .01). These results suggested that ongoing HIV education is needed for all groups, and that additional tailored and targeted educa- tional interventions are needed to address important gaps in knowledge among persons living with HIV patients origi- nating from Africa and among college students. Keywords HIV-positive Á HIV/AIDS knowledge Á Immigrant Á College students Á Education Introduction The experience of and response to the HIV pandemic differs widely across countries. The rate of infection is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with current prevalence estimates of 45% in some countries [1]. These countries accounted for 71% of all new HIV infections in 2008 [2]. In contrast, only 2% of the Canadian population is living with HIV, yet the numbers continue to rise [3]. As no cure for HIV is available at present, individuals must protect themselves through behaviour change. The goal of the present study was to examine HIV knowledge among persons living with HIV who were either born in Canada or in sub-Saharan Africa. Theoretical frameworks for health behaviour change start with HIV information and identify HIV knowledge as a key determinant of safer-sex behaviour [4, 5]. For example, the information-motivation-behavioural skills model (IMB)[4] was developed to account for HIV- preventive behaviour. The IMB model states that three fundamental variables determine HIV-risk reduction behaviours: risk-reduction information (i.e., knowledge), motivation, and behavioural skills such as proper condom usage. The authors of this model posit that information engenders motivation for risk-reduction and is a necessary precursor to preventive behaviour. Past research has H. E. Tulloch (&) University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre, 40 Ruskin St., Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7, Canada e-mail: hetulloch@ottawaheart.ca L. Balfour Á J. Kowal Á J. B. Angel Á G. Garber Á P. MacPherson Á C. Cooper Á D. W. Cameron Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, 501 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada G. A. Tasca The Ottawa Hospital – General Campus, 501 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada 123 J Immigrant Minority Health (2012) 14:132–139 DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9480-7