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Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
Institute of Developmental Research >
Thesis - Population Studies >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1619
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| Title: | SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND RISK PERCEPTION OF HIV INFECTION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN DESSIE TOWN |
| Authors: | Girma, Tesfaye |
| Advisors: | Dr Assefa Hailemariam |
| Copyright: | Jun-2008 |
| Date Added: | 7-Nov-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | Available studies indicate that, sometimes people do not perceive their risk of HIV adequately
and therefore, they are less motivated to protect themselves and others from HIV infection. In
Dessie town, as in many other Ethiopian towns, city and other settings of the world too, the
sexual behaviors and self assessment of the risk of HIV infection of the current cohort of young
people will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS.
The purpose of this study is just to identify the socio-economic and behavioral factors that
affect risk perception of HIV infection among young adults in the age 15- 29 years.
Method: this study is a cross-sectional survey research that was conducted in Amhara Region,
Dessie town. A total of 721 youths in the age group 15-29 were selected using cluster sampling
method followed by simple random sampling method. A self-administered survey questionnaire,
FGDs and interview with key informants were the methods used to collect the required data
from the study participants. The collected data were edited, entered, cleaned and analyzed
using descriptive statistics and multivariateanalysis with SPSS.
Results show that about half of the study participants are sexually experienced. Of these,
55.6% had sex with one partner only, about a quarter used condom consistently and about 19%
had multiple sexual partners and did not use condom. Nearly 12% of the sexually active
participants ever had been contracted by one of the STIs. Overall, 7% of males and 11.5% of
females perceived high risk of HIV infection; and 12% of male and 15.8% of female
respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female
respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of
HIV infection. Sex, exposure to media, religiosity, age at first sex, the number of life time
partner, age difference with partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the
predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young adults in Dessie town.
Conclusions: The findings of this study provide justification for intervention targeting on key
factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection. Providing the necessary and
continuous information in a way that could bring about behavioral change among the young
adults is recommended. |
| Description: | A thesis submitted to the school of graduate studies of Addis Ababa University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
in Population Studies |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1619 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Population Studies
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