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Determinants of HIV/AIDS Prevention Method Utilization among Secondary School Students in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda

Karugaba Michael

Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kampala International University, Uganda.

ABSTRACT

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a global and national concern, and there is a need to focus on HIV prevention, especially in high-risk groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the factors influencing the utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention methods among selected secondary school students in Kamwenge District. The study involved 364 students from 6020 secondary schools, with data collected through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that 68% of students utilized HIV/AIDS prevention methods, with 43.3% abstaining, 11.0% faithful, and 45.7% using condoms. 84.5% of participants had heard about HIV prevention methods, and 67.9% agreed that prevention methods protect against HIV/AIDS. 72.2% of participants used HIV/AIDS prevention methods, and 67.9% had good knowledge on the practice of these methods. Most students were males, older, and from rural areas, with a higher percentage of them being sexually active. Awareness and knowledge about protective methods affect their utilization of HIV/AIDS control methods. Overall, the study highlights the importance of addressing the global and national challenges of HIV/AIDS and promoting effective HIV prevention strategies among secondary school students.

Keywords: risk factors, HIV, AIDS, prevention

INTRODUCTION

Health is one of the essential concerns in all population globally. A well-defined and efficient health system is a major determinant to achieving a healthy population or society. Like other countries in the world, Uganda faces many challenges in regard to its living conditions, health being one of them. Recognizing this fact, the current government has since its coming into power in 1986 created a need based and cost-effective health care system. In order to achieve this, the Ugandan government carried out a decentralization of the health sector to increase responsibility, accountability and participation on the lower level [1-7]. Globally, HIV/AIDS has been a complex socio-economic problem for the last four decades. Thus the fight against HIV/AIDS goes beyond deductive type conventional approach to self-empowered approach. That is, students should  have  the  experiences  to  re-evaluate  their  perception  in  terms  of  HIV/AIDS,  sexuality  and  career/life development. Indeed, the appraisal process builds their personal frame of references, meta-cognitions; self-concepts and these assist them to be determined to overcome challenges and adapt long lasting skills in behavioural skills. [8-14]. Moreover, premeditated responses against HIV/AIDS require sorting out high risk behavioral groups and that urges to address information, education, and communication. Besides, formal education and training, knowledge and attitudes could be scaled up by educational guidance and counseling for vulnerable groups such as students at schools, colleges, and universities. Thus, these findings call for urgency to launch inclusive packages to care for adolescents at their contexts [15-19].

In Uganda HIV/AIDS scourge being one of its key concerns, Uganda aid commission (UAC) was established by parliamentary statute No.2 of 1992 situating it under the office of the president. The UAC was established to oversee the coordination, monitoring, implementation and the evaluation of the HIV/AIDS activities in Uganda [1]. In 2002, presidential initiatives on AIDS strategy for communication to the youths (PIASCY) was established under ministry of health which was aimed at prevention of spread of HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact on primary and post primary education institution in Uganda. This emphasized, abstinence from sex, being faithful to the partner and condom use [1, 20-23].Ugandan government together with some NGOs have over time put effort to combat HIV/AIDS scourge in Uganda through sensitization of the students/youth about HIV/AIDS prevention methods and has provided ART drugs to HIV victims, among others. These have led to the decrease of HIV/AIDS spread and prevalence [24-32].

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CITE AS: Karugaba Michael (2023). Determinants of HIV/AIDS Prevention Method Utilization among Secondary School Students in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES 4(1):109-119

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