Knowledge and Sexual Behavior Related to Hiv/Aids among Adolescents With Visual Impairment
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Date
2007-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The major objective of this study was to explore the current level of knowledge
and sexual behavior of adolescents with visual impairment in relation to
HIV/AIDS.
To conduct this study 70 adolescents with visual impairment were purposively
selected from the Ethiopian National Association for the Blind and instruments
that measure their knowledge and sexual behavior were administer all on
them. The statistical analysis in the study consists of percentage, chi- square, Ttest
and correlation. Key informants from three organizations namely Ethiopian
National association for the blind, Ethiopian center for disability and
development, and Medical Missionaries of Mercy (who were also selected
purposively) was interviewed to generate qualitative data.
With regard to the knowledge and sexual behavior related to HIV / AIDS, the
study could establish the presence of good knowledge and favorable sexual
behavior. The chi-square-test done on 26 items set to measure knowledge on
HIV/ AIDS showed a statistical significance. Likewise, sexual behavior related to
HIV/ AIDS showed a statistical significance that implies most respondents have
desirable sexual behavior.
The result also revealed that the relationship between knowledge and sexual
behavior was not significant. The T- test result indicated that at a~ 0.05, there
is no significant difference between males and females on their established
knowledge on HIV / AIDS. Likewise, no significant difference could be between
males and females on their sexual behavior.
The findings of the study further highlight radio, friends, television and ant~-----I--Sclub
as instrumental in the dissemination of information of HIV/ AIDS m ,ts
respective order. However, the information obtained through these sources was
not in a regular basis. As a strategy to teach adolescents with visual impairment,
peer, radio, and brail materials were preferred by the participants.
The results of the study also reveal adolescents with visual impairment as
vulnerable to HIV/ AIDS. This is because of poverty, stigmatization, rape and
sexual exploitation, lack of health service (like, VeT), problems in medical
procedures and ethics, dependency on others for checking expiry date on
condoms, dependency on others for proper use of condom and lack of focus of
adolescents with visual impairment and commitment by the concerned body to
work on HIV/ AIDS and visual impairment.
Finally it was recommended that the existed good knowledge on HIV/ AIDS
should be further strengthened. Information through radio should be more verbal,
figurative and full of demonstration to enhance its effects on adolescents with
visual impairment so as to increase their knowledge to a better level. Nearly half
of the respondents had sexual life prior to marriage. Hence, abstinence should be
promoted and propagated as their preference at this early age. Training on
detection of damaged and safe condoms should be given. In addition to this,
expiry date on condoms should be translated in to Braille on the package to
serve individual with visual impairment. The study hopes that its findings would
also be considered in the entire future prospective program planning, aiming at
the prevention and management of HIV/ AIDS at all levels.
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Keywords
Knowledge and Sexual Behavior Related