Assessment of perceived barriers to behavioral change towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Bahir Dar Town, northwest Ethiopia
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Date
2004-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Globally, HIV/AIDS has created an enormous challenge to the survival of mankind. It has now
become the leading cause of death in many developing countries especially in the Sub-Saharan
African countries. Industrialized countries have achieved significant result in the prevention and
control of the disease mainly through the behavioral change interventions.
Ethiopia is one of the seriously affected countries by the epidemic. The disease is affecting the
majority of the population, particularly the productive age group between 15-49 years, resulting
in social and economic crisis. Though continuous Information, Education and Communication
(IEC) interventions have made efforts in increasing awareness about modes of transmission and
prevention of HIV/AIDS, they have not successfully been able to bring about the desired
behavioral change among the population.
Thus, the main objective of this study was to assess perceived barriers to behavioral change
towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS among the urban community of Bahir Dar, where the
highest prevalence of HIV infection was already documented. The study design was crosssectional,
including both quantitative and qualitative methods. Using multi-stage sampling
technique, 910 urban residents aged 15-49 years were selected and interviewed.
The study has found out that though the majority of the population had awareness and favorable
attitudes towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS, some of them did not show behavioral change
towards its prevention. The perceived barriers to the behavioral change were low IEC
interventions (31.3%), unemployment (29.5%), increase in illegal video showing and khat
houses (28.7%), low involvement of the community in the prevention activities (22.5%), gender
inequalities (12.2%), traditional malpractices (10.8%), stigma and discriminations attached to
HIV/AIDS (10.1%), inadequate recreational facilities for the youth (8.1%) and low involvement
of the religious organizations in the prevention efforts (7.0%).
Some of the socio- demographic characteristics, namely, sex, age, marital status, occupation and
exposure to mass media were found to influence change of behavior towards the prevention of
HIV/AIDS. The majority of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS and could answer at least
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one means of transmission and preventions HIV/AIDS, but only 19.6% and 29.1% of the
respondents could answer the three major means of transmission and prevention of the disease,
respectively, indicating that there is still low level of comprehensive knowledge related to
HIV/AIDS among the population.
In general, the study indicated that the behavioral change towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS
can be affected by some of the socio-demographic variables of the population. Moreover, the
perceived barriers towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS among the population were low level of
comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS and factors related to communication, cultures,
socio-economic status and gender relations.
Thus, besides the poverty alleviation programs, community and multisectoral HIV/AIDS relatedinterventions
through appropriate and effective IEC strategy are vital in removing the barriers
and bringing about sustainable behavioral change towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS among
the population.
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Assessment of perceived barriers to behavioral change towards