Assessment of effectiveness of the different IEC Interventions in improving awareness and reducing Stigma related to HIV/AIDS among High School adolescents in Awassa, Southern Ethiopia
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Stigma and discrimination are common human reactions to disease. HIV/AIDS related
stigma and discrimination negatively affect preventive behaviors, HIV test-seeking behavior, and careseeking
behavior, quality of care and perception of PLWHA by communities, families, and partners.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HIV/AIDS related misconceptions and
stigma in adolescents and determine the effectiveness of different IEC interventions in reducing the
HIV/AIDS related stigma and to ascertain long-term effects of the IEC interventions.
Materials and Methods: Interventional study was employed from January to March 2007 on the
adolescents of the four high school students using four different IEC Interventions, namely
interpersonal communication, pamphlets, educational video and the combination of the three
Interventions. Immediate post intervention and follow up assessments for misconceptions and
stigmatizing attitudes were carried out.
Result: Misconceptions on HIV transmission/prevention were 0-52.3%. Stigmatizing attitudes ranged
from 0-65.2%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed Grade, Religion, beliefs in HIV
transmission by witchcraft and HIV transmission by feeding on uncooked egg/meat of chicken that
swallowed used condom were significantly associated with avoidant behavioral intentions, AOR,
2.23(95% CI 1.2-4.1), AOR, 0.43 (95% CI, 0.22-0.82), AOR, 0.22(95%CI, 0.06-0.77), AOR, 3.5,
(95%CI, 1.4-8.8) and AOR, 2.1(95% CI, 1.1-3.9) respectively. Regarding beliefs in HIV
transmission/prevention, variables like coughing/sneezing, feeding on raw egg of a chicken that
swallowed used condom and practicing sex with virgin girls were found to be statistically significantly
associated with blaming attitude AOR, 4.8(95% CI, 1.5-15.4), AOR, 2.7(95% CI 1.5-4.9) and AOR,
3.8(95% CI, 1.1-13.4) respectively. Residence, fathers’ education, Television ownership, transmission
by witchcraft, healthy looking person can have HIV, HIV prevention by having sex with virgin girls
and PLWHA had multiple sexual partners were found to be determinants of coercive attitude AOR,
0.2(95% CI 0.05-0.80) AOR, 6.4(95% CI, 1.02-40.42), AOR, 5.9(95% CI, 1.0-34.6), AOR, 12.9(95%
CI 2.8-58.4), AOR, 6.1 (95% CI, 1.7-22.0), AOR, 22.3(95% CI, 5.1-97.1)and AOR, 2.9(95% CI, 1.02-
8.45) respectively. Mothers’ education and HIV transmission by eating with PLWHA were also found
to be determinants of the negative sympathetic feelings to PLWHA AOR, 2.1 (95% CI, 1.10-4.14) and
AOR, 2.75(95% CI, 1.04-7.30) respectively. IEC interventions were effective in reducing HIV stigma
and discrimination. ANOVA (F statistics) revealed that the interventions were effective, ANOVA,
17.484 (p-value<0.0001).
Conclusion: Misconceptions on the transmission/prevention of HIV and associated stigmatizing and
discriminatory attitudes were prevalent among the adolescents. Remarkable reduction in the HIV
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related misconceptions, stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes were observed using the combined
interventions. Hence, campaigns using combined IEC interventions on HIV/AIDS need to be
intensified to dispel some of the prevailing misconceptions and the associated stigma and
discrimination among high school adolescents.