| James A. Amisi |
| Department of Medicine, Moi University, Kenya |
| December, 2009 |
Abstract |
| Background: HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Kenya. The principal mode of spread is through heterosexual contact, accounting for 75% of all HIV infections in Kenya. HIV infection is preceded by specific behaviour patterns such as unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners. Programs designed to slow the spread of HIV infection need to focus on reducing transmission through sexual contact. The ABCD (Abstain, Be faithful, Condom use and Diagnosis-Know your status) strategy is one such approach. Despite preventive measures already in place, new infections still occur, indicating the need to reinforce primary prevention programs. This research is aimed at investigating some of the weak aspects of HIV/AIDS primary prevention programs. This research is aimed at investigating some of the weak aspects of HIV/AIDS primary prevention in a rural hospital. Objectives: 1) To determine the level of patient knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission, prevention and treatment. 2) To determine the relationship between HIV/AIDS related knowledge and risky sexual practices among the respondents. 3) To determine the HIV/AIDS infection risk perception among the respondents. 4) To determine the relationship between demographic characteristics of the respondents and their sexual practices. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: General outpatient clinic, Tenwek Mission Hospital, Bomet District Kenya. Study population: Male and female out-patients aged 18–49 years. Method: Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. A total of 384 patients were interviewed. Data analysis: Data were analyzed using SAS Institute versions 9.1 Proportions and means were generated for categorical and continous variables respectively. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done to investigate relationship between independent and dependent variables. Results: The overall knowledge about HIV/AIDS was high although misconceptions about HIV and AIDS are still present. About 31% of respondents engaged in risky sexual activity. The study did not reveal a statistically significant association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risky sexual practice. Sixty two percent of the respondents perceived themselves to be at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Males were 1.6 times more likely to use condoms than females, and respondents who reached tertiary level of education were 3 times more likely to use a condom than those likely to be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS than those with primary education. There was correlation between risky sexual practices and the variables age, marital status and occupation. Young respondents were more likely to be involved in risky sexual practices than those who were farmers or had formal employment. Conclusions: Risky sexual practices are still common despite awareness that this is the greatest contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS. There is need to reinforce programs geared towards HIV/AIDS primary prevention (The ABCD approach). |
| Other AOSIS OpenJournals publications include: |