Background:Documenting specific
knowledge and
attitudes about
HIV in the culturally diverse nation of
Solomon Islands is essential to inform locally targeted
public health responses. As part of a large capacity-strengthening project at Atoifi Adventist
Hospital in East Kwaio,
Solomon Islands,
researchers, using a ‘learn-by-doing’ process, worked with participants in
public health research methods.
Methods:Overall, 43 people attended
research capacity building workshops in 2011; eight joined the
HIV study group. A
cross-sectional survey including semi-structured interviews on
HIV was conducted by the group. In February 2014, a
hospital administrator was interviewed about how the 2011 study informed local
HIV responses.Results:Of the 53
survey participants, 64%
self-assessed as having little or no
HIV knowledge, but 90% knew
HIV could be transmitted between
men and
women during
sex. Less than 50% knew
HIV could be transmitted between two
men having
sex, 45%
thought HIV could be transmitted by
mosquitoes and 55% agreed
condoms help protect from
HIV. Most participants reported negative
attitudes towards people with
HIV. Three years later the
health administrator reported ad hoc responses to
HIV because of low
HIV prevalence, increasing
noncommunicable diseases, staff turnover and
resource shortages.Discussion:This
HIV study was used to strengthen
research skills in local
health professionals and
community members in
Solomon Islands. It showed that
community members require accurate information about
HIV transmission and that entrenched stigma is an issue. Although results provided local evidence for local response, ongoing
health system challenges and little local
HIV transmission meant
HIV services remain rudimentary.