HIV RISK PERCEPTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG GOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN GONDAR TOWN, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ix School HIV program in Ethiopia is neither comprehensively guided nor performance is adequately tracked. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess HIV risk perception and associated factors among Gondar town governmental preparatory schools� students. Methods: Cross-sectional study using random and systematic sampling was done from December 2018 � January 2019 G.C. Structured self-administered questionnaire used to collect data. Data were reviewed and checked for completeness and consistency. Data was entered using Epi-info ver.7 and analyzed using latest SPSS ver.25. Explanatory variables with p<0.05 were entered to multivariable logistic regression. Final association was computed using binary logistic regression with p-value <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 633 students participated and 20 were interviewed. Out of 633, 36% had HIV risk perception Conclusions: The study showed low HIV risk perception. Factors like educational level, parental monitoring and number of sexual partners were among factors significantly associated with HIV risk perception. Recommendations: It is better to reinforce HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and implement sexual life skills education in these schools to increase their low HIV risk perception. Key words: Gondar; HIV; preparatory; risk perception; student