Melesse, Daniel Alemu (2010) Assessment of Sexual Risk Perception and the Determinants of Protective Behavior of STIS/HIV/AIDS among Female College Students, in Debere-Markos Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2010. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Background: Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years are both the most threatened globally, accounting for half of all new cases and the greatest hope for curving the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Young populations, especially never-married sexually active females have the greatest risk of HIV infection. They may not be aware of their vulnerability to it or of how best to prevent it. There is a great gap between knowledge and practice which needs detailed research that address determinants. Objective: To assess female college student’s knowledge, sexual behavior, risk perception and determinants of protective behavior of STIs/HIV/AIDS in Debre Markos town. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional institution based survey was conducted from February to April, 2010 and was complimented by qualitative study. Result: 340 students interviewed and four focus group discussions were conducted. Students’ comprehensive knowledge was (15.5%). Only 7.4% perceived risky sexual behavior that can exposed them for HIV. Among the study subjects 25% were sexually active. Sixty percent of the respondents had used condoms consistently during their last sexual exercise. Ten percent of never married respondents had experienced sexual intercourse. 75.4% did not used condoms during their last sexual contact. Of all participants 61% of the study group had ever tested for HIV in the last 12-months. Among those respondents who had sexual intercourse in the last one year 6.8% had symptom of STI as foul smelling genital discharge and/or genital ulcer. Thirteen percent of respondents had ever forced by their sexual partners and 5% of sexually active students had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: Though awareness of HIV/AIDS/STIs among female college students was relatively high, they had low comprehensive knowledge that capable of them to prevent infections of STIs and HIV. Regarding risky sexual behavior and self risk perception, most of the study subjects had involved in risky sexual behaviors but the great majority of them considered themselves having low or no risk for HIV infection. Protective behavior such as utilization of condom use was found to be inadequate but self recognition of HIV status in the last 12 months was relatively higher. Recommendation: Continuous IEC/BCC intervention programs paying attention on the misconceptions and protective behaviors against HIV/STIs; creating a positive youth friendly environment to address sensitive gender-related issues and access protective means like condom provision within the institution and the community; Emphasis should be given to ensure access for young people to sex education, HIV/STIs, including information about contraceptives. Students have to be further promoted to HIV counseling and testing services.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Sexual behavior; Risk perceptions; protective behavior; HIV, AIDS and STIs |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1001 Forensic Medicine. Medical jurisprudence. Legal medicine |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Vincent Mpoza |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Oct 2018 12:10 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Oct 2018 12:10 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6785 |
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