Sexual risk-taking behaviours, perception of risk and prevention of HIV/AIDS among students of Kenyatta University

Abstract

This study investigated knowledge of sexual risk-taking behaviours, perception of risk and prevention of HIV/AIDS among students of Kenyatta University. An HIV/AIDS awareness questionnaire was used to gather data from the students. Students' demographic variables of gender and year of study were considered in the interpretation of the results. The population consisted of all the first and fourth year students in the 1998-99 academic session ofKenyatta University. Responses were solicited from 135 first year students and 133 fourth year students. The students were selected on the principle of proportionate representation. Use of descriptive statistics, t-test and correlation coefficient' r' was utilized for interpretation of data. The findings of this study indicated that: 1. The students did not adequately know the major aspects of sexual risk-taking behaviours and HIV/AIDS prevention. 2. The students did not perceive themselves to be at risk of contracting HIV/ AIDS. 3. Fourth year students perceived themselves to be at a more risk of contracting HIV/AIDS than first year students perceived themselves to be. Male and female students' perception of risk of contracting HIV/A•IDS did not differ significantly. VIl 4. Students' knowledge on major aspects of sexual risk - taking behaviours did not differ according to their year of study and their gender. However, knowledge on major aspects of HlV /AIDS prevention differed according to the students' year of study but not according to their gender. 5. Students' knowledge on major aspects of sexual risk-taking behaviours was positively and significantly correlated to their knowledge on major aspects ofHIV/ AIDS prevention. 6. Students' perception of risk was neither significantly correlated to. their knowledge on major aspects of sexual risk-taking behaviours nor to their knowledge on major aspects of HlV/AIDS prevention. These findings indicate that HlV/.A.IDS education programmes at the university have not been completely effective in making students aware of guarding themselves against HIV/ AIDS. This implies that students at the university are not completely safe from HIV/AIDS infection. It is recommended that future HIV/AIDS education programmes be reinforced and intensified at the university. Such programmes should focus particularly on: a) Increasing students' level of knowledge on major aspects of HIViAIDS transmission and prevention. b) Making students develop a high perception of vulnerability. c) Promotion of positive health changes in normative sexual behaviours among students.