Does Having Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Knowledge Affect the Risky Sexual Behaviour of Young People in Sub – Saharan Africa: Pooled Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys

Abstract

Background: Risky sexual behaviours (RSB) include all those behaviours such as multiple sexual unions, inconsistent use of condoms, or having sex under the influence of stimulants which have a greater propensity to exacerbate an individual’s vulnerability to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. This study explores the relationship between comprehensive knowledge on HIV and RSB among young people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2010 and 2018 in 28 SSA countries. These countries were chosen because they had complete information on the variables of interest for both males and females. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted.Results: It was found that 54.4% of young women and 40.0% of young men engaged in RSB. This ranged from 16.1% in Lesotho to 91.6% in Sierra Leone among young women and 17.1% in Namibia to 80.5% in Sierra Leone among young men. We also found that young men [AOR=0.78, CI=0.73–0.84] and women [AOR=0.92, CI=0.87–0.98] who had comprehensive HIV and AIDS knowledge had lower odds of engaging in RSB compared to those who did not have comprehensive HIV and AIDS knowledge.Conclusion: The study showed a low level of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS in SSA and a gap in the proportion of young males and females regarding comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Risky sexual behaviour varied by sex. This reflected in a higher proportion of young females (54.5%) indulging in RSB as compared to young males (40.0%). Our findings also revealed that comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS influences risky sexual behaviour of young people. Age, level of education, place of residence, wealth status, exposure to radio, television, and newspaper or magazine have a significant relationship with RSB. These findings infer the need for targeted messages and interventions for the various categories of young people in SSA with relevant information on comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

Factors associated with unsafe sexual behavior among sexually active Chinese University students, Hebei Province, 2019

“…Consistent with a previous study, the current study revealed an alarming lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge and prevention among university students, and a low level of HIV knowledge was correlated with condomless sex [ 26 ]. Researchers have reported that knowledge about HIV/AIDS, as a form of self-empowerment, may influence a person’s perception of risk, which can lead to behavior change [ 27 , 28 ]. The current work suggests that providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS education in universities and even before college is critical.…”

Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes towards Safe Sex of Youth Receiving Antiretroviral Care at Public Health Facilities in Palapye District, Botswana

“…If they refused to use the condom, the HIV-infected youths would continue with sexual intercourse even without disclosure. A study showed that this was likely to happen especially with a casual partner [27][28][29][30]36,43,49].…”

Knowledge on safe sex practices among undergraduate university students at Chuka University, Kenya

“…6 Having intercourse with several sexual partners, having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to or inconsistent use of a condom, having sex with an unknown partner, usage of pornographic materials, and sexual coercion are examples of these activities. 7,8 Unsafe sexual practices may be associated with individual demographic factors, psychological factors and sociocultural factors. 9 Men are more likely to present with risky sexual behaviour than women.…”