Factors affecting behaviours that address HIV risk among a sample of junior secondary school students in the Northern Province, South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting HIV risk reduction among junior secondary school pupils in South Africa. The sample included 441 Grade 10 Secondary School pupils in the age range of 16 to 25 years (M age 16.3 yr, SD = 2.3) from three rural schools in one region of the Northern Province of South Africa. Measures of the following were included : sexual behaviour and condom use, knowledge about correct condom use, intention of condom use, behavioural norms, attitudes, normative beliefs, and subjective norms about condoms, HIV / AIDS vulnerability (likelihood to get it) and severity of the illness in the country, and condom use self-efficacy. Bivariate analysis found positive significant relations between age at first vaginal intercourse, HIV / AIDS susceptibility and severity, attitudes towards condoms, normative beliefs to use condoms as well as subjective norms to use condoms and the HIV / AIDS risk index; inversely related were correct condom knowledge and condom use intention. Regression analysis indicated that inversely correct condom knowledge score, age at first vaginal sex and HIV / AIDS severity were found to be predictive for HIV / AIDS risk behaviour explaining 53% of the variance.


(Health SA Gesondheid : interdisciplinary research journal: 2002 7(3): 89-93)