Browsing by Author "Gashaw, Ketema"

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    Assessment of sexual behaviors and factors influencing risk perception on HIV/AIDS among preparatory students in Adama town, East Shoa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2011-05) Gashaw, Ketema; Addissie, Adamu (PhD)
    Background: Globally an estimated 11.8 million young people aged 15 to 24 are living with HIV/AIDS. Each day, nearly 6,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 become infected with HIV. In Ethiopia there are currently 1.2 million PLHIV, with an adult HIV prevalence of 2.4%. Study show that as high as 48.2% of in school youth who were engaged in risky sexual behaviors considered themselves to be at no or low risk of HIV infection. Objective: To assess sexual behaviors and identify factors influencing risk perception towards HIV/AIDS among preparatory students in Adama town. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 27, 2010 to January 12, 2011. Quantitative study was conducted based on self administered questionnaire among 737 in school youths with 97.23% response rate. To support quantitative findings, a qualitative study also was conducted using four focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS16 version and qualitative data by thematic analysis. Results: Out of the total respondents 47.1% were males and 52% were grade 11th. About 19.7% of the respondents were sexually experienced. Thirty Six (24.8%) of the sexually experienced respondents reported that they have more than one sexual partners and 7(4.8%) have had sex with commercial sex workers. Among the sexually active respondents 21(22.1%) had never used condom and only 37 (38.9%) use condom consistently. Only 16(2.2%) of Participants perceive they are at risk of HIV infection. In multivariate analysis, being a female by sex (AOR= 0.61(0.39, 0.94), Older youth (20-24) years AOR=3.69(2.09, 6.54), and Khat chewing AOR=3.96(2.34, 6.69) with 95% CI have shown significant association with sexual experience. Conclusions and Recommendation: School youths were beginning sexual intercourse earlier, practicing sex with multiple partners, and with commercial sex workers, and low rate of condom use during their sexual encounter. They have very low personal risk perception towards HIV infection. Therefore programs targeted towards youths should be promoted youths participation and give emphasis on developing their life skills to put knowledge in to practice.