Assessment of HIV//Aids risk Behavior Difference Between out of School Anti--Aids Club Members and Non--Club Member Youths,, Jimma and Agaro towns,, South West Ethiopia
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Date
2003-04
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Sexual risk behaviors remained one of the most important tools for assessing the trend
of HIV/AIDS epidemic in SSA regions. Further more, they are the major indicators
utilized in several evaluative studies for the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS intervention
programs, essentially targeting young people. The present study had an objective of
assessing the difference in the sexual risk behaviors for HIV infection between out of
school anti-AIDS club members and non-member youths in Jimma and Agaro Towns
from January to February 2003. Quasi-experimental design in which proportions of
major risk behaviors for HIV infection among randomly selected sample of anti-AIDS
club member youths of Jimma town compared with a similar sample of non-club
member youths in Agaro Town was employed. A pre-tested interviewer administered
questionnaire was used to collect data. FGDs were also conducted in the two groups to
complement the quantitative findings. The study participants were categorized into four
homogenous strata based on their sex and age.
Among the study participants, about one third of the club members and a quarter of
non-club members admitted to have practiced sexual activity with the mean age at
sexual debut of 16.8(61.9) and 16.8(62.1), respectively. Of the sexually active
respondents, 30.3% of club members and 16.4% of the non-club members reported to
have had two or more non-commercial sexual partners in the last one year, while only
46% and 39.3%, respectively used condom consistently. The differences were not
statistically significant in both cases. Club members were found to have better scope of
knowledge and attitude and more proportions perceive them themselves to be at risk of
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HIV infection compared to the non-club members. Both quantitative and qualitative
design identified the presence of major misconceptions pertaining to HIV transmission
and the role of condom among the non-club member comparison groups.
Adolescents and in-school youth were more likely to limit self to a single partner than
the older groups. On the other hand alcohol and khat consumption were shown to
have a potentiating effect for risky sexual practice.
From this study it was concluded that youths organized under anti-AIDS clubs in Jimma
town had a better off knowledge, attitude and perception pertaining to HIV/AIDS, while
risk practice remained uniform with that of un-intervened group. Thus, more intensified,
and comprehensive approach with adequate policy and social support from relevant
sectors is highly recommended.
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Assessment of HIV//Aids risk Behavior Difference Between