A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Study on Sexual Practices Related to HIV Transmission and Prevention among Male Residents of Arba Minch Town Southwest Ethiopia
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Date
1991-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 355 randomlyselected
urban male residents in Arba Minch town , southwestern
Ethiopia , to investigate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices
related to HIV transmission and prevention , with emphasis on condom
use. About half ( 48.8% ) of sexually- experienced respondents
reported one or more high-risk sexual practices. More than a fifth
(22.0%) had had sex with several partners in the previous three
months , and 42.3% had experienced sex with prostitutes, including
11.1% in the previous three months. Extramarital sex and sex with
prostitutes in the previous three months were reported by 14.5%
and 7.7% of married participants, respectively. Age (P<O .Ol ) and
occupation (P<O.OOl), and age (P<O.Ol) and current marital status
(P<O.Ol), respectively , were associated with sex with prostitutes
ever and sex with prostitutes during the previous 3 months. About
one fifth(21.4%) of sexually- experienced men reported ever having
used condoms , including 9.6% reporting consistent use of condoms.
Condom use was significantly associated with age , education , and
occupation (P<O.OOOI for all three). Significantly higher rates of
condom use were found in those who reported one or more risk
behaviours (P<O. 001 ), as compared to those who reported none. Condom
use was also strongly associated with knowledge about its role in
AIDS prevention(P<O.Ol ). Almost half(43.3% ) of condom non- users
didn't know what condoms were. A majority of respondents(93.8%) had
heard about AIDS, while 67.4% had heard about condoms. only 57.3%
of respondents knew about the role of condoms in AIDS prevention.
A majority of respondents knew about HIV transmission through sex
(97.6%), and from prostitutes t o clients (99.1%). However, wrong
beliefs were also common (10.9-23 . 9%). Over half(53.0%) of the
respondents perceived self-risk for HIV infection, of which 81.7%
reported having changed their sexual behaviours. The association
between perception of risk and change of behaviour was
statistically significant(P<O.OOOOl ) .Those who reported one or more
high-risk practices were also significantly more likely to perceive
self-risk and report changes in behaviour , than those who denied
any of the risk factors.
The potential for improvement of the situation through a
carefully planned and targeted educational intervention and through
utilization of every available media, is very high.
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Keywords
HIV Transmission and Prevention