Health Care : Current Reviews

Factors Associated With Knowledge on Spread of HIV/AIDS among Secondary School Students of Groupe Scolaire DE Rugando in Kigali

Chinenye Mercy Nwankwo ¹Kabale University, Uganda

Received: 15-Dec-2020 Published: 26-Jan-2021, DOI: 10.35248/2375-4273.21.9.269

Objective:

This study intends to determine factors associated with knowledge on the spread of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among students of Groupe scolaire de Rugando in Kigali.

Methodology:

A cross sectional descriptive approach was used on a population of 950 students in secondary school of Groupe scolaire de Rugando, systematic sampling technique was used to randomly draw 102 students for the study. A pre- tested questionnaire was developed and translated; data was collected in one month and with a trained research assistant.

Result:

Finding showed that 78 (76.47%, with confidence interval (C.I.) of 67.04 – 84.31) of the students in the study accepted that HIV infection is transmitted by engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person. Another proportion of the student about 65 (63.72% with C.I. 53.21 – 73.02) accepted that risk of contracting HIV/AIDS increases by the presence of multiple sexual partners. About 69 students in the study (67.64% with C.I. of 57.66 – 76.58) accepted that regular use of condoms helps to reduce the risks of contracting HIV /AIDS, while about 72 students (70.59% with C.I. of 60.75 – 79.19) responses showed that the risks of HIV infections increases by the presence of other STIs. Additionally, 44 students (43.14% with C.I. of 33.37 – 53.32) indicated that they have already engaged in sexual relationship and about 58 students in the study (56.86% with C.I. of 46.68 – 68.63) responses showed that they do not need to use condom during sexual intercourse. Lastly, about 46 of the students (45.10% with C.I. of 35.22 – 55.26) perceived that having unprotected sex with partners proves that you love the partners.

Methodology

The research was conducted in school of Groupe Scolaire de Rugando. Is located in Kimihurura sector, Gasabo district in Kigali city (Rwanda), it is a mixed school and it has a big population of 950 students. A descriptive cross-sectional design using quantitative method was employed in this study to assess factors associated with knowledge on spread of HIV/AIDS among students.

The study dependent variable was the spread of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students of Groupe Scolaire Rugando. The study independent variables includes; Students’ social demographic characteristics, Knowledge of secondary adolescents’ students on HIV/AIDS, Attitudes about risky sexual behaviors, Risky sexual behaviors.

The target population for the study comprised of 950 students in secondary school of Groupe Scolaire de Rugando, The inclusion criteria; Upper classes students were included. Senior 4, 5, 6 were included and all the students that gave their consent to participate in the study while the lower classes students were excluded. Senior 1, 2, 3 were excluded and students who did not give their consent of participation.

Researcher used Cochran’s formula to find out what sample of a population of 950 people you need to take. Researcher wanted a confidence level of 95 percent (which will give a margin error of 0.05); the target population was 180 students. Plugging data into the formula. In this study, researcher used a 95 percent confidence level with a population size of 950.

Z standard deviation corresponding to 95 % (1.96)

P = proportion/whole population among youth q=100%-P (proportion in target population) and e as absolute precision power at 5%

P=180×100/950=19%

q=100%-19%=81%

Systematic sampling technique, using list of students in the different class levels in line with the school record. Simple random sampling was used for number 1 to 10 and 3 was chosen. So the interval of 3 students used to draw the study sample from the class list until the sample size of 108.

Relevant literatures were reviewed and opinions from the experts in the concerned field of HIV/AIDS research obtained. The questionnaires were independently pre-tested using 20 volunteer students by two different enumerators to assess their validity. After the pre-testing, views were exchanged to address the difficulties identified, appropriateness of the questions reviewed and appropriate changes made.

The introduction letter taken to the institution head and approval received and questionnaire was distributed among the consenting students and anonymity maintained. Data collection process lasted for 1 month and followed by data sorting, checking and return rate calculated. The results are presented in form of tables. Descriptive statistics were determined during data analysis. The right of self-determination to decide voluntarily to participate in study or to terminate their participation, the information provided remained private and confident

Result and Discussion

Study findings depict a higher number of male student’s respondents (59.8%) as compared to that of female (40.2%) students. This finding was found to be similar to that of Kenya where 58.8% were male, while 41.1% were female (Ndegwa I., 2008). All youth (99.9%) believe it is possible to avoid HIV infection. However, while 98.8% of respondents were aware that abstinence from sex was a prevention measure, only 57.9% reported use of condoms and 23.7% reported being faithful to one sexual partner as prevention measures.

Most respondents agreed curiosity or need to experiment is among the factors that lead them to do the sex. 45.1% strongly agreed this factor the similar to the study done in South Africa, where 49% who had engaged in early sexual intercourse in terms of experiment (Paul B., 2014). About 45.10% of students in the study felt that having unprotected sex with your partner proved love, this is similar to the study by (Oumar M., 2014) in Mali where about 60% of people feel powerless to negotiate safer sex.

In conclusion, the students in the study have good knowledge regarding factors predispose adolescents to HIV/AIDS, but still engage on risky sexual behaviors. The misconceptions towards condom use observed could be corrected by sex education, guidance and support for behavior change. Recommend reproductive health and sex education be given priority in schools. Engagement of youth in positive behaviors including athletics, sporting, music and talent hunt activities.

Table 4.1: Distribution of study participants with regards to knowledge of HIV/AIDS

Table 4.2” Distribution of study participants’ perception of risk behaviours with regards to HIV/AIDS

REFERENCES

1. UNAIDS., (2010) UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2010. Rwanda/UNAIDS
2. United Nations., (2010). Adolescents and the youth who, in 2008, accounted for 40% of new HIV infections.
3. National institute of statistics of Rwanda (NISR) (2015).Population prevalence in rural and urban area
4. Vedaste Nyilimana.,(2014). HIV/AIDS Education in Butare-ville Secondary Secondary schools
5. Ndgwa.,Wangechilk., Makoha A., Kijungo (2008) . â??Knowledge, Attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS among students and Teachers.â??
6. Oumar M. Guindo. Aizhong LIU. Kebe Haba (2014) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Youth towards HIV/AIDS in Mali. Medicine. ID: 44206524