A study to determine knowledge on HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour of junior secondary school youths in kabwe district

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to determine the knowledge on HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviours of Junior Secondary School Youths in Kabwe District. The problem was identified as a result of the increasing cases of HIV positive school youths, the high cases of STIs and incomplete abortions attended to in the District health centres.Literature reviewed looked at the knowledge of the school youths on HIV/AIDS and their sexual behaviour, and the factors that may influence the two variables. Literature revealed that knowledge though vital, alone was not adequate in promoting positive sexual behaviour, factors like cultures socio-economic peer influence, and media had roles to play in influencing sexual behaviours of the school youths.The sample comprised 50 youths, half from grade eight and half from grade nine who were systematically sampled from a randomly selected school. To collect data, self administered questionnaires comprising open ended and closed ended questions were administered to the respondents. The study was of a cross sectional descriptive nature.According to findings, 58% of the respondents had medium to high levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and the difference in the knowledge levels between the two grades was minimal, with 60% grade nine and 56% grade eight having the same levels of knowledge.The majority of respondents were not dating, (56%) while 54% had already had sexual intercourse, 10% had indulged in sex out of curiosity while 44% as a result of peer pressure. Results also showed that 28% always used condoms during sex, while 16% never.Majority of the respondents, 46% were abstaining, while 34% were indulging in risky sexual behaviour, more females (47.1%) than males (27.3%) were indulging in risky sexual patterns.However, results showed that 65.2% of the respondents with medium to high levels of knowledge on HIV/AIDS were also abstaining from sexual intercourse.Recommendations made included the need for close collaboration between MOE and MOH to fight the scourge, revision of school curriculum and improvement of IEC approaches to the school youths, making the services aimed at teaching the youths on HIV/AIDS matters user-friendly, regular monitoring and revision of HIV/AIDS programmes, involvement of youths in planning and implementing these programmes, improving teaching and counselling skills.