Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Adults in Dessie Town
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2008-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Available studies indica!e !ha!, sometimes people do not perceive !heir risk of HIV adequa!ely
and !herefore, 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, 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 HIVIAIDS The purpose of this study is 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 form15 February to 15 March 2008. 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 structured questionnaire, FGDs and interview with key informants
were used to collect the required data from the study participants. The data were edited, coded
entered, cleaned and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis with SPSs.
Results show that about half of the study participants are sexually experienced. Of these,
55.6% had sex with one partner only, abou! a quarter used condoms consistently and about
19% had multiple sexual partners and did not use condom. Nearly 12% of the sexually active
participants had ever contracted at least one STis. Overall, 7% of males and 11.5% offemales
perceived high risk of HIV infection; and 12% of male and 15.8% of female respondents
perceive themselves to have a moderate chance of gelling 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 partners, age
difference between 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 information
in a way that could bring about behavioral change among the young adults is recommended.
Description
Keywords
Risk Perception of HIV Infection