Objective: Global HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to affect people worldwide. India has approximately 2 million women living with HIV/AIDS. Women in India maintain a low status in society, with minimal autonomy. This study investigated the relationship between women's autonomy in decision-making and their AIDS knowledge (designated ‘ever heard of AIDS').Methods: This study used the 1998-2000 Demographic Health Survey with India's National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2). Data were collected on 90,300 ever-married women ages 15-49. Statistical analyses were conducted in SAS 9.1, including descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple logistic regression.Results: In the sample, 40,777 (45.2%) of the 90,300 women had ever heard of AIDS. Younger women (15-24 years) had the lowest prevalence of AIDS knowledge (40.9%). The highest geographic prevalence of knowledge was in South India (= 70.4%) compared to the lowest in Central India (=21.6%). Socio-economically, women in lowest level for standard of living had the lowest prevalence of AIDS knowledge (20.6%). Half of women with primary educations and 42.9% of Hindu women reported knowledge. Women were 1.71 (95% CI, 1.66-1.77) times more likely to have AIDS knowledge in the role of primary decision-makers. Even after adjusting, women in primary decision-making roles for their health care remained 16% (95% CI, 11-22) more likely to have AIDS knowledge compared to women whose husbands were primary decision-makers.Conclusion: The study allows for better understanding of the role that decision-making autonomy plays in HIV/AIDS knowledge among women in India. Intervention and education programs can integrate the findings to strengthen their effectiveness.

This study translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated an instrument's scores for use in public high schools in San Salvador, El Salvador. The original instrument consisted of items developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and five dimensions of attitudes (Abstinence, Peer-pressure, Condom use, Drug use, and Threat of HIV) in grades 7 to 12 in the United States. Items were translated into Spanish using the back-translation method. The instrument was cross-culturally adapted using guidelines proposed by Guillemin, Bombardier, and Beaton (1993). A cross-culturally equivalent version of the original instrument was obtained using three different Salvadorian review panels and two pretests with Salvadorian high school students. An expert panel of HIV Salvadorian professionals validated the content and established its cultural acceptability for public school use. A total of 483 students from 30 randomly selected public high schools in El Salvador participated in a series of validation studies. Confirmatory factor analysis of the translated instrument was used to evaluate the factorial validity of the five-factor attitudinal model. As part of the validation process, the translated Abstinence and Condom use subscales from the CDC were correlated with similar translated subscales from Basen-Engquist et al.'s (1999) published study as a measure of concurrent validity. Finally, internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was determined with 483 students and test-retest reliability was obtained with a subsample of 39 students. Six major conclusions were: (1) The methodology used was successful in cross-culturally adapting the instrument. (2) HIV/AIDS content was rated as culturally acceptable and valid for use in public high schools of El Salvador. (3) The reliability of the scores from the knowledge section was moderate (test-retest reliability coefficient = .49 and coefficient alpha = .57). (4) Reliability (coefficient alpha) of the five attitudinal subscales was inconsistent: .55 (Peer-pressure), .58 (Abstinence), 0 (Condom use), .24 (Drugs), and .30 (Threat of HIV). (5) Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a 4-factor attitudinal model (Peer-pressure, Abstinence, Drug use, and Threat of HIV). (6) Concurrent validity of the translated CDC Abstinence subscale was strong. The results provided support for the methodology to cross-culturally adapt an instrument. The psychometric properties from the knowledge section and the attitudinal component related to abstinence were acceptable but additional research is needed before the Spanish instrument can be used with confidence in El Salvador.

<p>In South Africa there is still a substantial amount of prejudice towards people living with Aids (PLA). Initially, Aids was seen as a &lsquo / gay&rsquo / disease, then a &lsquo / black&rsquo / disease. People thus tended to avoid high-risk groups rather than high-risk behaviour, and denied their own vulnerability by displacing the disease to an &lsquo / other&rsquo / who did not belong to &lsquo / their&rsquo / group. This study focuses on factors that influence and motivate adolescents&rsquo / behavior towards HIV/AIDS at Beauvallon High School in Valhalla Park / an impoverished, peri-urban and previously coloured only community.</p>

<p>Since the early 1980&rsquo / s when the first case of HIV was diagnosed, AIDS remains a serious and threatening health crisis in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic having 67 % of the 33 million people infected with HIV globally in 2007. Young people aged 15-24&nbsp / account for an estimated 45% of all new HIV infections worldwide. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual&nbsp / behavior among 15-19 year olds in Kenya. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 students randomly selected from five public&nbsp / schools in Ngong sub-district. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was conducted using Epi Info 3.3 and SPSS. The main findings indicate that a third&nbsp / (31/96) of respondents were sexually experienced. Knowledge level was however found to be inadequate (below 60 %) indicating a poorly informed sample on knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention. The study showed poor attitudes towards the risk to HIV as only 40 % of both males and females supported the use of condoms even when the sexual partners know each other well. Inaddition, risky sexual behaviors were reported by sexually&nbsp / &nbsp / experienced respondents where condom use in last sexual intercourse was (57 %) among males and (20 %) among females.</p>

<p>Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria / to appraise the students&rsquo / attitudes towards HIV/AIDS / to describe the risky sexual and other behaviours they engaged in and what factors influenced such behaviours. This study was conducted in the area to systematically examine the widely held notion that adolescents were deviating from the strict sexual mores of the Bekwarra people, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of acquiring HIV. Methods: Information was collected using a cross-sectional survey based on a 64 item questionnaire adapted from the Family Health International HIV/AIDS/STD Behavioural . Surveillance Surveys. A random sample of 381 male and female students aged 14 to 18 selected from 12 secondary schools participated in the survey. Results: The level of general awareness of HIV/AIDS was high - 56.9% of participants knew how HIV is transmitted - but their knowledge of STI symptoms was low. Only 24.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in women, while only 20.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in men. One hundred and twenty three (32.2%) students constituting 68 males (17.8%) and 55 females (14.4%) had experienced sexual intercourse. The mean age at first sexual experience was 15.06 years for males and 14.95 years for female students. There was a statistical association between age and experience of sexual intercourse (p = .024). Two thirds (65.0%) of the 123 sexually experienced students had intercourse in the last six months, and only 30 of them (24.4%) had used a condom during their last intercourse. The use of condom was most frequent (10.6%) at age 18 and least frequent (.8%) at age 14. About one quarter (26.1%) of the students had taken&nbsp / alcohol: 17.3% occasionally, 5.5% moderately, and 2.6% frequently. There was a statistical association between taking alcohol and age (p = .038). Over a half (56.1%) of those who had not had sexual intercourse also had not taken alcohol. In contrast, 14.2% had sexual intercourse and also took alcohol, indicating significant statistical association (p &lt / .001). 66.8% of the students had neither used drugs nor taken alcohol, whilst 6.8% had both used drugs and taken alcohol, indicating significant association, (p &lt / .001). There was a similar association between sexual intercourse and using drugs, (p = .002). Conclusions: The study revealed significant high risk sexual behaviour among adolescents in Bekwarra. The high level of risky sexual behaviour and lack of basic knowledge about STIs indicated that access to information is currently insufficient. Health and educational authorities in Bekwarra should utilize the key findings highlighted from this study to design more effective local strategies for sexual health promotion that may help to slow the spread of STIs including HIV/AIDS. Intensive child-friendly programmes for pre-teenagers organized by educators to promote postponement of the early initiation of sexual intercourse may be effective. For adolescents who are unable to control their sexual initiation, improved education on safe sexual practices, especially the use of condoms appears to be necessary.</p>

<p>In South Africa there is still a substantial amount of prejudice towards people living with Aids (PLA). Initially, Aids was seen as a &lsquo / gay&rsquo / disease, then a &lsquo / black&rsquo / disease. People thus tended to avoid high-risk groups rather than high-risk behaviour, and denied their own vulnerability by displacing the disease to an &lsquo / other&rsquo / who did not belong to &lsquo / their&rsquo / group. This study focuses on factors that influence and motivate adolescents&rsquo / behavior towards HIV/AIDS at Beauvallon High School in Valhalla Park / an impoverished, peri-urban and previously coloured only community.</p>

<p>Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria / to appraise the students&rsquo / attitudes towards HIV/AIDS / to describe the risky sexual and other behaviours they engaged in and what factors influenced such behaviours. This study was conducted in the area to systematically examine the widely held notion that adolescents were deviating from the strict sexual mores of the Bekwarra people, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of acquiring HIV. Methods: Information was collected using a cross-sectional survey based on a 64 item questionnaire adapted from the Family Health International HIV/AIDS/STD Behavioural . Surveillance Surveys. A random sample of 381 male and female students aged 14 to 18 selected from 12 secondary schools participated in the survey. Results: The level of general awareness of HIV/AIDS was high - 56.9% of participants knew how HIV is transmitted - but their knowledge of STI symptoms was low. Only 24.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in women, while only 20.7% knew at least two STI symptoms in men. One hundred and twenty three (32.2%) students constituting 68 males (17.8%) and 55 females (14.4%) had experienced sexual intercourse. The mean age at first sexual experience was 15.06 years for males and 14.95 years for female students. There was a statistical association between age and experience of sexual intercourse (p = .024). Two thirds (65.0%) of the 123 sexually experienced students had intercourse in the last six months, and only 30 of them (24.4%) had used a condom during their last intercourse. The use of condom was most frequent (10.6%) at age 18 and least frequent (.8%) at age 14. About one quarter (26.1%) of the students had taken&nbsp / alcohol: 17.3% occasionally, 5.5% moderately, and 2.6% frequently. There was a statistical association between taking alcohol and age (p = .038). Over a half (56.1%) of those who had not had sexual intercourse also had not taken alcohol. In contrast, 14.2% had sexual intercourse and also took alcohol, indicating significant statistical association (p &lt / .001). 66.8% of the students had neither used drugs nor taken alcohol, whilst 6.8% had both used drugs and taken alcohol, indicating significant association, (p &lt / .001). There was a similar association between sexual intercourse and using drugs, (p = .002). Conclusions: The study revealed significant high risk sexual behaviour among adolescents in Bekwarra. The high level of risky sexual behaviour and lack of basic knowledge about STIs indicated that access to information is currently insufficient. Health and educational authorities in Bekwarra should utilize the key findings highlighted from this study to design more effective local strategies for sexual health promotion that may help to slow the spread of STIs including HIV/AIDS. Intensive child-friendly programmes for pre-teenagers organized by educators to promote postponement of the early initiation of sexual intercourse may be effective. For adolescents who are unable to control their sexual initiation, improved education on safe sexual practices, especially the use of condoms appears to be necessary.</p>

<p>Since the early 1980&rsquo / s when the first case of HIV was diagnosed, AIDS remains a serious and threatening health crisis in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic having 67 % of the 33 million people infected with HIV globally in 2007. Young people aged 15-24&nbsp / account for an estimated 45% of all new HIV infections worldwide. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS and sexual&nbsp / behavior among 15-19 year olds in Kenya. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 students randomly selected from five public&nbsp / schools in Ngong sub-district. Descriptive and bivariate analysis was conducted using Epi Info 3.3 and SPSS. The main findings indicate that a third&nbsp / (31/96) of respondents were sexually experienced. Knowledge level was however found to be inadequate (below 60 %) indicating a poorly informed sample on knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention. The study showed poor attitudes towards the risk to HIV as only 40 % of both males and females supported the use of condoms even when the sexual partners know each other well. Inaddition, risky sexual behaviors were reported by sexually&nbsp / &nbsp / experienced respondents where condom use in last sexual intercourse was (57 %) among males and (20 %) among females.</p>

Magister Artium - MA / In South Africa there is still a substantial amount of prejudice towards people living with Aids (PLA). Initially, Aids was seen as a 'gay' disease, then a 'black' disease. People thus tended to avoid high-risk groups rather than high-risk behaviour, and denied their own vulnerability by displacing the disease to an 'other' who did not belong to 'their' group. This study focuses on factors that influence and motivate adolescents' behavior towards HIV/AIDS at Beauvallon High School in Valhalla Park; an impoverished, peri-urban and previously coloured only community. / South Africa

Poor sexual communication among Nigerian youth can create problems for health workers, medical practitioners, and the government in determining what is and is not working in their attempts to reduce sexually-related diseases. This quantitative study used self-administered questionnaires among 107 Nigerian university students, aged 18 to 35, to determine if a statistically significant predictive relationship existed between: (a) beliefs about alcohol, (b) HIV knowledge, (c) risk behaviors, (d) age, (e) religion, (f) gender, (g) sexual activity status, (h) dating status, (i) language, (j) sexual orientation, and (k) tribes of Nigerian university students and their sexual communication with partners. Previous studies did not use the AIDS risk reduction model (ARRM) as a theoretical framework to identify frequent risk factors in this population. This study was guided by the ARRM and used the Sexual Risk Survey (SRS), the HIV-KQ-18, the Revised Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ-3), and the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC) to assess the participants. Independent-sample t tests were used to analyze the correlation of study variables and the results showed statistically significant differences only in tribal affiliation (p = .022), gender (p < .001; p =.016), dating status (p = .017), age (p = .006), and sexual activity status (p = .001). Linear regression analyses results showed no statistically significant predictive relationship, R = .322, R2 = .103, F (12, 94) = 0.904, p = .546, between HIV knowledge, beliefs about alcohol and risk behaviors of Nigerian students, and their ability to communicate sexually. These findings justify the need for more culturally sensitive studies and gender/age appropriate HIV intervention strategies in Nigeria.