Predictors of HIVI AIDS Related Sexual Behaviors among High School Adolescents Based on the Classical Health Behavior Models, Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia
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Date
2000-12
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
There is an understanding that effective HJV / AIDS prevention programs should be based on the
models and theories of behavior change so that the programs can be designed to change those
factors which lead to the Lmdesirable risk behaviors and maintain the desirable once. With the
objectives of determining HIV / AIDS related sex ual behaviors and assessing their relation with
variables derived from the classical models of health behavior, a study using a pre-tested selfadministered
questiOlUlaire to collect information from a random sample of six hundred and sixty
high school students was conducted in Jimma town on March 2000. Among the high school
students 6.7% of female students and I 1.2% of male students were found to have involved in
sexual activity with worst lifetime sexual behavior index. Of the sexually active students the rate
of unprotected sexual intercourse and intercourse with more than one sexual pminer in the past
year were 81. 7% and 19.3%, respectively.
There is a significant gender difference in HIV -related risk sexual act and belief-intention factors.
Higher propOliions of males were involved in these high-risk sexual acts. Independent and
significant predictors of intention to limit sexual paltners were perceived barriers and normative
belief for female students and normative belief and perceived behavioral control for male
students. On the other hand, knowing an individual who has/had HIV / AIDS, motivation to
comply, normative belief, and perceived behavioral conh'ol for females; while only perceived
susceptibility and perceived behavioral control for males independently and significantly
predicted the intention to use condom in the next sexual intercourse. It was concluded that high
school students are at risk of HIV infection because of the high-risk behaviors they have. Pattems
of gender difference are found and theOly-driven and gender appropriate educational
interventions and researches are recommended.
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Predictors of HIVI AIDS Related Sexual Behaviors