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Abstract
Knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour of young people in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in rural Zambia
E. Mwansa
Background:
Local Community Competence Building Project run by Churches Health Association of Zambia, DCA and INESOR, is in five rural areas in Zambia. One of the objectives of the project is to reduce levels of HIV/AIDS and other STIs through promotion of local competence and non-risky sexual behavior among adolescents, as the youth are the future. Adolescence is a critical stage in development. In the process of self-discovery young people face peer pressure. This has left young people at the epicenter of HIV/AIDS transmission.
Methods:
A quantitive was employed with the use of questionnaire interview surveys and focus group discussions for data collection. 627 youths (47% female and 53% male) were randomly selected and interviewed with their consent.
Results:
Of the total number of respondents 76% had received HIV/AIDS education mostly from school. 78% thought HIV/AIDS is a serious incurable infection that has resulted in escalating deaths. 23 % of the youth had precise knowledge of HIV/AIDS infection through sexual intercourse. 60% of interviewees had their sexual debut between 11 to 16 years-of-age. Those who were still virgins had abstained due to fear of catching HIV/AIDS. Only 24 % thought everyone is at risk of catching HIV/AIDS, the rest thought only young girls and promiscuous people were at risk. Condoms were reported as being readily available but 54% of the sexually active population was not using condoms.
Conclusions:
Most respondents had inaccurate knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Despite acknowledging dangers of HIV/AIDS, condom use among the respondents was low. Respondents thought the risk of being infected by a cohort was unlikely. Most youths had erroneous beliefs and ideas about HIV/AIDS, condoms and their role in preventing HIV/AIDS, which needs to be dispelled.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDD1348
Suggested Citation
" E. Mwansa
Knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour of young people in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in rural Zambia.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDD1348"
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