Assessments of HIV/AIDS related knowledge among window of hope population in Kombolcha town, South Wello Zone, Amhara Regional State
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Date
2005-04
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Fortunately most young people are not infected with HIV/AIDS. Infact during early
adolescents HIV rate are the lowest of any period during the life cycle. The challenge is
to keep them this way .Yet, it is also young people who often beers the greatest hope of
changing the course of HIV/AIDS epidemic if they are given the tools and support to do
so.
In Ethiopia information on the knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS and related
issue among this early adolescents is scanty. This study aimed to asses the knowledge
of HIV/AIDS and factors that influence students knowledge and attitude.
A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire was carried out among
randomly selected students in five general primary schools in Kombolcha town South
Wello Zone of Amhara Regional State during November 2004 to January 2005. A total
of 600 students (309 male and 291 female) 10 to 14 years old attending grade 5 to 8
were enrolled in the study. Four hundred and thirty seven (73 %), and 404 (67 %) of the
respondents were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS mode of transmission and prevention
methods respectively and 98(16.3%) of them had also comprehensive knowledge on
HIV/AIDS. About 430(72 %) of them had positive attitude towards AIDS patient, AIDS
orphan and PLWHA. Four hundred and ten (68.3%) and 450(75.8%) replied that they
discussed about HIV/AIDS with their parents and peers, respectively. Only 41 (6.1%) of
the students perceived their susceptibility to HIV/AIDS.
Students in higher grade level, Christians, those who discussed with their peers, and
who got information from mass media source [OR=2.69(1.59,4.55),
[OR=2.12(1.23,3.63)], [OR=1.88(1.11,3.19)] and [OR=1.75(1.10,2.79)] respectively had
significant association with mode of transmission knowledge. Similarly respondents in
higher grade level, Christians, and who got information from mass media source
[OR=1.60(1.02,2.52)], [OR=2.02(1.01,3.39)] and [OR=1.76(1.12,2.75)] respectively had
significant association with prevention method knowledge. Being old age
[OR=2.01(1.22,3.29), urban residence [OR=1.92(1.10,3.35), Christians affiliation
VIII
[OR=3.39(2.07,5.54)], those from medium [OR=5.42(2.49,11.80)] and low
[OR=3.37(1.66,6.84)] perceived family economic status respectively and mass media
source of information [OR=1.57=(1.01,2.44)] had significant association with Students
positive attitude. It was also concluded that students knowledge on the mode of
transmission and prevention method were moderate and majority of participants did not
show discriminatory and stigmatized attitude. Strengthening the current HIV/AIDS
education going on in the school, sustaining the non-discriminatory attitude through
strengthening the on going message are recommended.
Key words: Early adolescents, HIV/AIDS, transmission, prevention, attitude, perceived
susceptibility, Kombolcha, South Wello, Amhara and Ethiopia.
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Keywords
Early adolescents, HIV/AIDS, transmission, prevention, attitude, perceived susceptibility, Kombolcha, South Wello, Amhara and Ethiopia