Abstract:
Statements of the problem: More than half of all new HIV infections occur in 15 to 24 yearolds.
Members of this age group feel less susceptible to adverse outcomes associated with risk
behaviors and are therefore, at greater risk for HIV/AIDS. Lack of awareness and
misconceptions by the young people about HIV/AIDS risk behavior might have contributed to
the spread of the disease. The knowledge of HIV risk behavior of wolayta soddo preparatory
school students has not been studied so, this study aimed to assess the level of awareness about
HIV infection risk behavior among Wolayta Soddo Preparatory School students.
Objective: is to assess the HIV risk behavior knowledge among Wolayta Soddo Preparatory
School students
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken by using a pre-tested self
administering questionnaire for a total of 363 respondents from Jan, 10 to18, 2011 to assess the
level of knowledge of HIV /AIDs risk behavior among Wolayta Soddo Preparatory School
students.
Results: The total number of students who responded to the questionnaire was 351 giving a
response rate of 96.6%. Out of the total respondents, there were 141 (40.2%) female and 210
(59.8%) male students. Most of the students 87% were in the range of 15-19 years of age. The
mean age of the study subjects was 15.5 years with the median age of 15 years. Nearly 53.6% of
respondents mentioned correct answer for HIV risk behavior related questions. Males were
found to be 1.65 times more knowledgeable than females (OR =1.653, 95% CI (1.075, 2.542).
29.9% of the study subjects reported that they had experienced sexual intercourse. Out of this
number, 77.1% were males and 22.9% were females. The mean age of sexual onset is 16.7
(+1.73) years for males and 16years for females. Of the sexually active study participants 11.4%
of the respondents had reported that they had 2-3 life time partners and 8.6% had more than 4,
and among male respondents who had engaged in sexual relationships 14.3% had experienced it
with commercial sex workers.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Even though the study found that knowledge of HIV risk
behavior was encouraging, but generally was not satisfactory enough to sustain adequate
HIV/AIDS response in a context of high and widespread HIV/AIDS prevalence, Upgrading the
capacity of school clubs, peers, teachers help to disseminate accurate information were
recommended.
