Hiv risk-reduction measures among Adolescents in junior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis, ghana
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Date
2009-07-12
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Abstract
This is a cross sectional study among Junior High School (JHS) students randomly selected from 10 public educational circuits in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ashanti Region, Ghana. A total of 300 students and 18 teachers were randomly selected in selected schools and interviewed using a standardised questionnaire and interview guide respectively. The objective of the study was to examine the reproductive health and HIV/AIDS related knowledge base and experiences of students in Junior High School and also determine the level with which education on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS are managed by the school management.
Nine percent of students in JHS had ever had sex, 18.5% of which was done with persons 5-10 years older than the students. There was no association between the student’s having ever had sex and the sex of the student (chi = 0.02, p = 0.89); persons who pay fees (chi = 5.57, p=0.35); student working for money (chi = 1.08, p=0.29) and type of work engaged by the student for income (chi = 0.59, p = 0.874). JHS students who were engaged in the use of hard drugs were 8 times (OR = 8.41, chi = 10.03, p = <0.00) more likely to have ever had sex than their counterparts. Sixty three percent of JHS students who have ever had sex did not use a condom. JHS students have not heard about: male condom (24.7%); STDs (13.3%); HIV/AIDS (4.7%). Organisation of educational sections on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in the schools are irregular and unplanned since there is no policy guidelines to streamlined these activities.
It is concluded that JHS students in the Kumasi Metropolis exhibits negative sexual behaviour that pose a great risk in terms of vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, STDS and other reproductive health problems. It is recommended that intensification of education by Teachers, GES, Ghana AIDS Commission, MOH/GHS and other stakeholders could assist in reducing these risks.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Public Health in Health Education and Promotion.