Knowledge, Choice and Challenges of Hiv/aids Prevention Among Adolescents in Kampala: a Case Study of Kibuli Secondary School.

Abstract

Introduction

While AIDS related mortality is decreasing in all other age groups, it has increased by 50% in the past 7 years in adolescents globally. Despite advances in HIV/AIDS prevention methods, the AIDS- related mortality in adolescents is still increasing globally (UNAIDS, 2014). However, in Uganda, it has been reported that up to 360 new HIV infections occur per week among adolescents (UNAIDS, 2015). The major problem in Ugandan context, is presumed to be inadequate uptake of HIV/AIDS prevention methods among adolescents.

Objective

This study set out to analyse the level of knowledge and improve the level of awareness on choices and challenges in the prevention of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Kampala.

Methodology

This study was done in Kibuli Secondary School, Kampala district, Uganda. Descriptive, cross-sectional approach employing both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Quantitative data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire with 380 respondents. Qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews.

Results

The results revealed that 86.6% students knew the meaning of HIV and AIDS.69.5% knew how HIV/AIDS is transmitted .87.5% had basic knowledge of how to prevent HIV transmission. 57.4% knew the meaning of abstinence. 42.1% knew that condoms provide 80% HIV protection. 46.6% knew that medical male circumcision provides 60% HIV protection to the males only.90.8% knew that ARV treatment is taken daily. 47.9% knew about the use of pre exposure prophylaxis and 60.5% knew about post exposure prophylaxis. Abstinence was found to be the number one choice of HIV/AIDS Prevention among these adolescents. This was followed by use of male condom and being faithful to one partner. The factors that affect the choices included degree of safety, religious acceptability, peer group pressure, parental influence and being able to prolong school time. Using abstinence had a challenge of hormones making adolescent bodies sexually aroused. Using condoms had a challenge of cost, size, tears, allergies, loss of sensation during sex, and trust in long term relationships. Those that were faithful had a challenge of cheating partners that lie about their faithfulness.

Recommendations

The study recommended increased health education, involvement of religious leaders in health education, involvement of law enforcers to arrest health workers that give false results, involvement of Uganda Bureau of Standards and also further research to include the whole of Kampala and Uganda.

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