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This article is made freely available as part of this journal's Open Access.
Authors Copyright © 2015: | Catherine M Ngoma1 | Janetta H Roos2 | Seta Siziya3 |
Instituation affiliation:
1. University of Zambia | Department of Nursing Sciences | Lusaka | Zambia |
2. University of South Africa | Department of Health Studies | Pretoria | South Africa |
3. University of Zambia | Department of Community Medicine | Lusaka | Zambia |
Instituation affiliation:
1. University of Zambia | Department of Nursing Sciences | Lusaka | Zambia |
2. University of South Africa | Department of Health Studies | Pretoria | South Africa |
3. University of Zambia | Department of Community Medicine | Lusaka | Zambia |
| | ABSTRACT | Volume 1, Issue 4, Pages 103-122 (June 2015) |
| Research article ASSESSMENT OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AMONG WOMEN AGED 15-24 YEARS | Catherine M Ngoma | Janetta H Roos | and | Seta Siziya |. American Journal of Innovative Research and Applied Sciences. 2015; 1(4):103-122. | PDF FULL TEXT | |
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Research & Applied Sciences
Research & Applied Sciences
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ABSTRACT
Background: HIV and AIDS is a major public health concern especially among young women. An understanding and awareness of HIV and AIDS may lead to changes in sexual behaviour which could reduce the number of HIV infections. Objective: To assess sexual behaviour and HIV and AIDS knowledge among young women in Zambia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving young women conducted before the intervention to provide baseline data on knowledge and risky sexual behaviour. Two towns were selected to serve as a control and as intervention sites; involving 200 hundred women in each site who completed semi-structured interview schedules. The semi structured interview schedule designed by the researcher to collect information concerning the respondents’ social and demographic characteristics, knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and sexual behaviour. Results: Results showed that some respondents in both the intervention and control areas engage in risk sexual behaviour. The number of respondents who used a condom at last sex was low in both groups even though the majority mentioned condom use as an HIV prevention measure, 34% in the intervention and 23% in the control group thought a condom wasn’t necessary, 40% and 27% in both groups were of the opinion it couldn’t be used in HIV prevention. Some didn’t perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection, 33% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group didn’t agree abstinence could prevent the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections while 30% in the intervention and 19% in the control group didn’t think having one sex partner reduces HIV transmission and sexually transmitted infections, 22% in the intervention and 23% in the control groups didn’t discuss sexual protection with their partners, 11% and 15% in both groups respectively mentioned it was a man’s responsibility and 27 and 9% in the intervention group and control group stated it was a woman’s responsibility. The remaining young respondents stated it was the responsibility for both men and women. Most (94%) in the intervention and (98%) control groups had heard about HIV/AIDS, 49% in the intervention group and 59% in the control group could not define HIV and 44% and 33% in both the intervention and control groups couldn’t define AIDS, 88% in the intervention group and in the control group (31%) didn’t know HIV virus causes HIV/AIDS. Five percent of the respondents in the intervention and 3% in the control groups believed a mosquito bite, 1% from both groups said drinking dirty water would cause HIV and 5% Vs 32% said kissing causes the infection, 11% in the intervention group and 15% in the control group stated a healthy looking person couldn’t have HIV infection, 4% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group didn’t know. Knowledge on symptoms and AIDS prevention was limited. Conclusion: The findings revealed knowledge gaps on HIV and AIDS among the young women. Therefore there is a need for continued sensitization of communities on issues of HIV and AIDS.
Key Words: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Knowledge, Sexual behaviour, Women, Zambia.
Background: HIV and AIDS is a major public health concern especially among young women. An understanding and awareness of HIV and AIDS may lead to changes in sexual behaviour which could reduce the number of HIV infections. Objective: To assess sexual behaviour and HIV and AIDS knowledge among young women in Zambia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving young women conducted before the intervention to provide baseline data on knowledge and risky sexual behaviour. Two towns were selected to serve as a control and as intervention sites; involving 200 hundred women in each site who completed semi-structured interview schedules. The semi structured interview schedule designed by the researcher to collect information concerning the respondents’ social and demographic characteristics, knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and sexual behaviour. Results: Results showed that some respondents in both the intervention and control areas engage in risk sexual behaviour. The number of respondents who used a condom at last sex was low in both groups even though the majority mentioned condom use as an HIV prevention measure, 34% in the intervention and 23% in the control group thought a condom wasn’t necessary, 40% and 27% in both groups were of the opinion it couldn’t be used in HIV prevention. Some didn’t perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection, 33% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group didn’t agree abstinence could prevent the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections while 30% in the intervention and 19% in the control group didn’t think having one sex partner reduces HIV transmission and sexually transmitted infections, 22% in the intervention and 23% in the control groups didn’t discuss sexual protection with their partners, 11% and 15% in both groups respectively mentioned it was a man’s responsibility and 27 and 9% in the intervention group and control group stated it was a woman’s responsibility. The remaining young respondents stated it was the responsibility for both men and women. Most (94%) in the intervention and (98%) control groups had heard about HIV/AIDS, 49% in the intervention group and 59% in the control group could not define HIV and 44% and 33% in both the intervention and control groups couldn’t define AIDS, 88% in the intervention group and in the control group (31%) didn’t know HIV virus causes HIV/AIDS. Five percent of the respondents in the intervention and 3% in the control groups believed a mosquito bite, 1% from both groups said drinking dirty water would cause HIV and 5% Vs 32% said kissing causes the infection, 11% in the intervention group and 15% in the control group stated a healthy looking person couldn’t have HIV infection, 4% in the intervention group and 2% in the control group didn’t know. Knowledge on symptoms and AIDS prevention was limited. Conclusion: The findings revealed knowledge gaps on HIV and AIDS among the young women. Therefore there is a need for continued sensitization of communities on issues of HIV and AIDS.
Key Words: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Knowledge, Sexual behaviour, Women, Zambia.