Lay summary
This two-phase proposal responds to the need for improved understanding about African migrant and refugee communities in New Zealand. The project aims to provide information that will inform appropriate HIV-related prevention and health promotion among Black African communities in New Zealand. An essential component of this proposal is a steering group of African community and religious leaders that will be formed to guide the implementation of the entire project. Phase I will determine what is known about the demographics and HIV epidemiology in African populations, which will inform the design of Phase 2. In Phase 2 we will implement the more specific design developed in Phase I. This design will include both a knowledge, attitude, behaviour and beliefs survey, and focus groups to gain more in-depth and contextual understandings. Recommendations about the prevention and management of HIV among African communities in New Zealand will be made.