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Knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV prevention among secondary school students in Bukoba rural, Kagera region- Tanzania
Abstract
It is estimated that about 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Among them 90% are from developing countries and more than 70% of them are found in Sub-Saharan Africa including Tanzania. About 4.8 million people are infected annually, 70% being women and 3 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 3 million people died from AIDS in 2003 worldwide. Documented data show that the reproductive age
group is more vulnerable and thus an intervention is necessary in this age group.
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV preventive measures among secondary school students.
Settings: Bukoba district, Kagera region, Tanzania Design: A cross sectional study was conducted in Bukoba rural district, Kagera region, in September 2005.
Methods: Multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine the study population and 364 students were interviewed using structured questionnaire.
Results: Our study findings showed that 93.7% of students knew how HIV is transmitted and 86.6% knew at least one method of HIV prevention. Students mentioned abstinence and faithfulness to one partner as best methods for HIV prevention.
Despite the knowledge they have, very few students reported to have used condoms in their last sexual contacts. Radio was reported to be the major source of information even though information given was not satisfactory to most of the students. In addition, 50% of students reported to have experienced sex,
the peak age of first sexual intercourse being 15 years.
Conclusion: Most of the students had an objective knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention though their attitudes and practices were different.
Recommendation: Health education should be promoted among youth especially in rural areas. Reproductive health consequences of pre-marital sex should be explained to students to prevent complications of reproductive tract infections.
group is more vulnerable and thus an intervention is necessary in this age group.
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV preventive measures among secondary school students.
Settings: Bukoba district, Kagera region, Tanzania Design: A cross sectional study was conducted in Bukoba rural district, Kagera region, in September 2005.
Methods: Multi-stage sampling technique was used to determine the study population and 364 students were interviewed using structured questionnaire.
Results: Our study findings showed that 93.7% of students knew how HIV is transmitted and 86.6% knew at least one method of HIV prevention. Students mentioned abstinence and faithfulness to one partner as best methods for HIV prevention.
Despite the knowledge they have, very few students reported to have used condoms in their last sexual contacts. Radio was reported to be the major source of information even though information given was not satisfactory to most of the students. In addition, 50% of students reported to have experienced sex,
the peak age of first sexual intercourse being 15 years.
Conclusion: Most of the students had an objective knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention though their attitudes and practices were different.
Recommendation: Health education should be promoted among youth especially in rural areas. Reproductive health consequences of pre-marital sex should be explained to students to prevent complications of reproductive tract infections.
