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Abstract
HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
Matthew Anyanwu, Adama Awasom-fru and Yauba A.*
ABSTRACT
Background: Among young people living with HIV, nearly 80% (4 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa.Adolescence remains the most vulnerable group thus understanding their knowledge of the disease is vital.Objectives: To determine whether the students are aware of various aspects of HIV such as, definition,causes, prevention and treatment. To assess the attitude of students towards an HIV infected person. Toassess the sexual behaviour of the students. Methods: A cross sectional study was done in four randomlyselected high schools in Banjul, and structured questionnaires were administered to 544 grade 11 students.Results: Approximately, 98% of our study population have heard about HIV/AIDS and 43.7% knew thatHIV causes AIDS and majority (51.7%) had no idea. Almost all (94.5%) knew sexual intercourse cantransmit infection and 93.0% beliefs condom use can prevent transmission. However, a third were sexuallyactive (29.6%), a fifth (20.0%) have used a condom with a significant number (10%) of them engaged inunsafe sexual act. Approximately, 33% believed douching after intercourse could prevent transmission. Many (89.2%) knew about mother to child transmission where as 43.4% and 36.8% felt transmission couldbe by mosquito bites and kissing respectively. A good number (79.2%) would continue being friends withinfected person while 89.3% would not mind being thought by an infected teacher. Conclusion: The studysuggests remarkable level of awareness about HIV but with some misconception on mode of transmission.They had a positive attitude towards PLHIV. A significant number engaged in unsafe sexual practices.
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