Predictors and reproductive health implications of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among female out-of-school adolescents in Iwaya community, Lagos state
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Date
2013-06-01
Authors
Kunnuji, M.O.N.
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Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major threat to the reproductive wellbeing of millions of young people in subSaharan Africa. Yet, some of the intervention programmes aimed at increasing knowledge about HIV fail to reach out-of-school adolescents. This study sought answers to questions on the level of knowledge about modes of HIV transmission and misconceptions about HIV; predictors of knowledge of HIV; and the relationship between knowledge of HIV and sexual behaviour among outof-school adolescents (ages 10 to 19), in a slum in the city of Lagos. The survey method was adopted. From a sample of 480 participants, the study found out that out-of-school adolescents are less knowledgeable about HIV, and the primary predictors of knowledge of modes of transmission and prevention of HIV are
education and literacy, even when the effect of age is controlled. The study also established a relationship between knowledge of HIV and reproductive health outcomes, such as age at onset of sex, multiple sexual partnership and use of contraceptives. High knowledge of HIV increases the likelihood of use of contraceptives, although multiple sexual partnerships and early onset of sex were also found to be associated with it. Based on these findings, a mass literacy intervention programme for out-of-school adolescents is recommended
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Staff publications
Keywords
Out of school girls , Misconception about HIV , Education , Literacy , Young girls , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Sociology
Citation
Kunnuji Michael ON, & Uwemedimo, E (2013). Predictors and Reproductive Health Implications of Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Female Out-ofSchool Adolescents in Iwaya Community, Lagos State. J Womens Health, Issues Care 2:3.