HIV knowledge and reported stigma among South Florida health fair participants

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BACKGROUND: Florida had the third greatest number of new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2020. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess HIV education and perceptions among diverse populations in South Florida to enhance public health community outreach efforts. Specifically, it investigated how HIV knowledge and perceptions vary based on race, primary language, and country of origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were administered at five South Florida health fair locations to evaluate understanding of HIV transmission, strategies for prevention and treatment, and stigma among those who accepted and declined free HIV testing. We analyzed survey data using chi-square tests with an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 173 respondents, 149 underwent HIV testing, while 24 declined. Out of all respondents, 20.8% identified as Black (n = 36), 29.5% White non-Hispanic (n = 51), and 43.9% White Hispanic (n = 76). Over half of all respondents were foreign born (59%). Most participants knew HIV can be spread by injection drug usage (98.8%) and unprotected sex (97.7%). Incorrect answers included that HIV could be spread by mosquito bites (27.2%), kissing a person living with HIV (26.6%), and sharing a drink with a person living with HIV (19.7%). Transmission knowledge was significantly associated with race (χ²(2, N = 163) = 8.78, p = .012), with 26.3% Black (n = 10), 18.7% White Hispanic (n = 14), and 4.0% of White non-Hispanic participants (n = 2) reporting inadequate transmission knowledge. Familiarity with PrEP and/or PEP was also associated with race (χ²(2, N = 163) = 13.27, p = .001), as White Hispanic participants reported the highest lack of familiarity (84.2%), and Spanish-speaking participants reported half the PrEP/PEP familiarity as their English-speaking counterparts (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Transmission knowledge was significantly low among Black and White Hispanic participants, while PrEP/PEP knowledge was uniquely low among White Hispanic and Spanish-speaking participants, reinforcing the need for improved education among these populations.

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