Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study

Melaku Ashagrie; Selamyhun Tadesse; Fikir Alebachew

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study

Melaku Ashagrie, Selamyhun Tadesse, Fikir Alebachew

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 16 October 2016 Accepted: 28 October 2016 Published: 17 November 2016

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Abstract

In Wollo University, Dessie Campus, as in many other Ethiopian towns, cities, universities and other settings of the world too, the sexual behaviors and self-assessment of the risk of HIV infection of young university students will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the extent of risky sexual behaviors and factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection in young students (17-29 years) of Wollo University, Dessie Campus from February 2010 - June 2010. A cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct the study. A total of 338 students in the age group 17-29 were selected using systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire with key informants was the tool used to collect the required data from the study participants. From the total of 334 respondents, 236 (70.7%) were males and the remaining 98 (29.3%) were females. About 117 (35%) of the study participants were sexually experienced. Of these, 85 (72.6% had sex only with one partner, about 48.8% used condom consistently, about 27.4% had multiple sexual partners and 37.6 of the respondents did not use condom; and 19.1% of male and 8.2% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, age at first sex, the number of life time partner, age difference with sex partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus. Risk perception about HIV/AIDS was inconsistent with sexual behaviors the students encounter. Even though the majority of the respondents in this study perceived themselves as being at low or no risk of HIV infection; results from their reported sexual behavior indicate that a significant proportion of the respondents involve in risky sexual activities that could expose them to HIV infection and as a result distort their risk perception.

Published in	World Journal of Public Health (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
Page(s)	19-27
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sexual Behavior, Risk Perception, HIV Infection, Young University Students

References

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[2]	ILO (2002) HIV/AIDS and the world of work.
[3]	USAIDS (2007) HIV/AIDS pandemic in the world.
[4]	UNAIDS (2004) Report on the global AIDS epidemic, fourth report, 2004.
[5]	MOH and FHAPCO (2006) AIDS in Ethiopia, Technical Document for the Sixth report.
[6]	UNICEF, USAIDS and WHO (2002). Young People and HIV/AIDS Opportunity Incises.
[7]	Kermyt G Anderson, Ann M. Beutel and Brendan Maughan-Brown (2007) HIV Risk Perceptions and First Sexual Intercourse Among Youth in Cape Town South Africa: International Family Planning Perspectives vol. 33, no. 3.
[8]	Macintyre K. (2004) Understanding Perception of HIV risk among Adolescents in Kwazulu- Natal, AIDS and behavior, 8 (3).
[9]	Adih, W and Alexander C. (1999) Determinants of condom use to prevent HIV infection among youth in Ghana, Journal of Adolescent Health 24 (1).
[10]	Molla M, Ismail S, Kumie A, et al. Sexuality and risk perception to HIV/AIDS among female students in Addis Ababa University, 2000. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development 2002; 16 (2): 119-128.
[11]	UNAIDS and WHO (2002). Young People and HIV/AIDS 2002.
[12]	Grahm J (2000) Secular Trend in Age at Menarche in China: a case study of two rural countries Anhui provice JBS; 31 (2).
[13]	Kermyt G Anderson, Ann M. Beutel and Brendan Maughan-Brown (2007) HIV Risk Perceptions and First Sexual Intercourse Among Youth in Cape Town South Africa: International Family Planning Perspectives vol. 33, no. 3.
[14]	Macintyre K, Brown L. and Soster S. (2001). "It is not what you know, but who you know", Examining the Relationship Between Behavior Change and AIDS Mortality in Africa, AIDS Education Prevention 13 (2).
[15]	Brooke Grundfest Schoepf (2006) AIDS, History and struggles over meaning.
[16]	Tesemma B. (2003). Sexual Behavior and Its Correlated, the case of Young people in Adama (Nazareth), Regional State of Oromia. Master Thesis, Addis Ababa University.
[17]	Hibret A. Factors predisposing out of school youth to high risk sexual practice with respect to HIV infection in Gondar town North West Ethiopia, April 2006.
[18]	Fentahun M. and Chala F. sexual risk behavior and risk perception towards HIV/AIDS in Dessie preparatory school north east Ethiopia, January 1999, 34 (4), 233-242.
[19]	Brooke Grundfest Schoepf (2006); AIDS: History and struggles over meaning: HIV/AIDS in Africa.
[20]	Josep H R. Oppong and Ezekiel K.; (2006) Perception and Misperceptions of AIDS in Africa: HIV and AIDS in Africa beyond epidemiology.
[21]	Ndola P. Leo M, Elizio M, Farnaz V., and Mrk S (2006). Relationships between HIV risk perception and condom use: evidence from a population based survey in Mozambique; International Family Planning Perspectives, 32 (4).
[22]	Njeri M. (2006) Strategies for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV/AIDS among adolescents: The case of high school students in Keya, 2006.

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Melaku Ashagrie, Selamyhun Tadesse, Fikir Alebachew. (2016). Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World Journal of Public Health, 1(1), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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ACS Style

Melaku Ashagrie; Selamyhun Tadesse; Fikir Alebachew. Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World J. Public Health 2016, 1(1), 19-27. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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AMA Style

Melaku Ashagrie, Selamyhun Tadesse, Fikir Alebachew. Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World J Public Health. 2016;1(1):19-27. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14,
  author = {Melaku Ashagrie and Selamyhun Tadesse and Fikir Alebachew},
  title = {Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-27},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20160101.14},
  abstract = {In Wollo University, Dessie Campus, as in many other Ethiopian towns, cities, universities and other settings of the world too, the sexual behaviors and self-assessment of the risk of HIV infection of young university students will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the extent of risky sexual behaviors and factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection in young students (17-29 years) of Wollo University, Dessie Campus from February 2010 - June 2010. A cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct the study. A total of 338 students in the age group 17-29 were selected using systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire with key informants was the tool used to collect the required data from the study participants. From the total of 334 respondents, 236 (70.7%) were males and the remaining 98 (29.3%) were females. About 117 (35%) of the study participants were sexually experienced. Of these, 85 (72.6% had sex only with one partner, about 48.8% used condom consistently, about 27.4% had multiple sexual partners and 37.6 of the respondents did not use condom; and 19.1% of male and 8.2% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, age at first sex, the number of life time partner, age difference with sex partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus. Risk perception about HIV/AIDS was inconsistent with sexual behaviors the students encounter. Even though the majority of the respondents in this study perceived themselves as being at low or no risk of HIV infection; results from their reported sexual behavior indicate that a significant proportion of the respondents involve in risky sexual activities that could expose them to HIV infection and as a result distort their risk perception.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study
AU  - Melaku Ashagrie
AU  - Selamyhun Tadesse
AU  - Fikir Alebachew
Y1  - 2016/11/17
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 19
EP  - 27
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
AB  - In Wollo University, Dessie Campus, as in many other Ethiopian towns, cities, universities and other settings of the world too, the sexual behaviors and self-assessment of the risk of HIV infection of young university students will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the extent of risky sexual behaviors and factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection in young students (17-29 years) of Wollo University, Dessie Campus from February 2010 - June 2010. A cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct the study. A total of 338 students in the age group 17-29 were selected using systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire with key informants was the tool used to collect the required data from the study participants. From the total of 334 respondents, 236 (70.7%) were males and the remaining 98 (29.3%) were females. About 117 (35%) of the study participants were sexually experienced. Of these, 85 (72.6% had sex only with one partner, about 48.8% used condom consistently, about 27.4% had multiple sexual partners and 37.6 of the respondents did not use condom; and 19.1% of male and 8.2% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, age at first sex, the number of life time partner, age difference with sex partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus. Risk perception about HIV/AIDS was inconsistent with sexual behaviors the students encounter. Even though the majority of the respondents in this study perceived themselves as being at low or no risk of HIV infection; results from their reported sexual behavior indicate that a significant proportion of the respondents involve in risky sexual activities that could expose them to HIV infection and as a result distort their risk perception.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Melaku Ashagrie

Department of Medical Laboratory, Dessie Health Science College, Dessie, Ethiopia
Selamyhun Tadesse

Department of Medical Laboratory, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
Fikir Alebachew

Department of Nursing, Dessie Health Science College, Dessie, Ethiopia

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Melaku Ashagrie, Selamyhun Tadesse, Fikir Alebachew. (2016). Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World Journal of Public Health, 1(1), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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ACS Style

Melaku Ashagrie; Selamyhun Tadesse; Fikir Alebachew. Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World J. Public Health 2016, 1(1), 19-27. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

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AMA Style

Melaku Ashagrie, Selamyhun Tadesse, Fikir Alebachew. Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study. World J Public Health. 2016;1(1):19-27. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14,
  author = {Melaku Ashagrie and Selamyhun Tadesse and Fikir Alebachew},
  title = {Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-27},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20160101.14},
  abstract = {In Wollo University, Dessie Campus, as in many other Ethiopian towns, cities, universities and other settings of the world too, the sexual behaviors and self-assessment of the risk of HIV infection of young university students will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the extent of risky sexual behaviors and factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection in young students (17-29 years) of Wollo University, Dessie Campus from February 2010 - June 2010. A cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct the study. A total of 338 students in the age group 17-29 were selected using systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire with key informants was the tool used to collect the required data from the study participants. From the total of 334 respondents, 236 (70.7%) were males and the remaining 98 (29.3%) were females. About 117 (35%) of the study participants were sexually experienced. Of these, 85 (72.6% had sex only with one partner, about 48.8% used condom consistently, about 27.4% had multiple sexual partners and 37.6 of the respondents did not use condom; and 19.1% of male and 8.2% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, age at first sex, the number of life time partner, age difference with sex partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus. Risk perception about HIV/AIDS was inconsistent with sexual behaviors the students encounter. Even though the majority of the respondents in this study perceived themselves as being at low or no risk of HIV infection; results from their reported sexual behavior indicate that a significant proportion of the respondents involve in risky sexual activities that could expose them to HIV infection and as a result distort their risk perception.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception of HIV Infection Among Young Students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus: A Cross Sectional Study
AU  - Melaku Ashagrie
AU  - Selamyhun Tadesse
AU  - Fikir Alebachew
Y1  - 2016/11/17
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 19
EP  - 27
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20160101.14
AB  - In Wollo University, Dessie Campus, as in many other Ethiopian towns, cities, universities and other settings of the world too, the sexual behaviors and self-assessment of the risk of HIV infection of young university students will strongly influence the course of HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to assess the extent of risky sexual behaviors and factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection in young students (17-29 years) of Wollo University, Dessie Campus from February 2010 - June 2010. A cross-sectional study design was applied to conduct the study. A total of 338 students in the age group 17-29 were selected using systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire with key informants was the tool used to collect the required data from the study participants. From the total of 334 respondents, 236 (70.7%) were males and the remaining 98 (29.3%) were females. About 117 (35%) of the study participants were sexually experienced. Of these, 85 (72.6% had sex only with one partner, about 48.8% used condom consistently, about 27.4% had multiple sexual partners and 37.6 of the respondents did not use condom; and 19.1% of male and 8.2% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a medium chance of getting HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, age at first sex, the number of life time partner, age difference with sex partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young students of Wollo University, Dessie Campus. Risk perception about HIV/AIDS was inconsistent with sexual behaviors the students encounter. Even though the majority of the respondents in this study perceived themselves as being at low or no risk of HIV infection; results from their reported sexual behavior indicate that a significant proportion of the respondents involve in risky sexual activities that could expose them to HIV infection and as a result distort their risk perception.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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