ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON CONDOM USE FOR PREVENTION OF HIV/AIDS AMONG WORABE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, WORABE TOWN, SOUTH-CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Globally, about 37.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2018 with 2.1 million people newly diagnosed. In Ethiopia, where an estimated 613,000 people were living with HIV, 62 percent were females. Out of this, youths like university students are at higher risks. Proper condom use is one of the effective methods to control the pandemic. However, there is lack of current evidence on students‟ knowledge, attitude and practice on proper condom use for prevention of HIV/AIDS. Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice on proper condom use for prevention of HIV/AIDS among Worabe University students October, 2021 G.C.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on condom use for prevention of HIV/AIDS among Worabe University 2014 E.C second and third year regular under graduate students. A total of 296 sample students from 885 were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic data of students and their perception of condom use to reduce the risk ofHIV/AIDS infection and to assess perceived susceptibility to HIV/AIDS. The data was analyzed with SPSS software v.20. The data was presented with frequency, percentage, tables and graphs.Results: A total of 291 students were participated with a response rate of 98.3%. The majority of them were aged 18-24 years; 193(66.3%) were males. More than half of the study participants (75.25%) were not ever made sex. Among the respondents who ever made sex, the reason for their first sexual intercourse was love (54.55%), followed by peer pressure (28.03%). All of the respondents (100%) had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. They knew HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through coughing (97.3%), wearing clothes with HIV/AIDS patients (97.9%), through hand shaking (92.8%), and through bite from mosquitoes (98.6%). Most of the respondents (90.9%) knew AIDS could not be cured even if it is diagnosed early. Most of the respondents had good attitude towards condom use. Majority of them (61.2%) felt comfortable to buy condom and (75.7%) enjoyed when using it. Most of the respondents (65.3%) feel confident to purchase and carry condoms. They were found to have positive attitude towards condom. Among the respondents who have ever made sex, most of them (59.84%) used condoms, while 40.16% did not use condom during sexual intercourse. Among the respondents who have ever used condom, 41.77% of them were using condom always, 56.96% were using it iiimost of the times, and 1.26% of them were using it sometimes. The respondents who did not use condom mentioned some reasons. About 24.52% said it reduces sexual pleasure, 13.20% said partner trust, 28.30% said unavailability of the condom, and 33.96% said that they haven‟t ever thought about it.Conclusion: The students‟ had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. Their attitude towards condom use was also good. Majority of them felt comfortable and confident to buy condom and enjoyed when using it. However, some of the students werenot using condom during sexual intercourse. Unavailability of the condom, negligence/inattention, feeling that it reduces sexual pleasure, partner trust, social effects especially on female students and absence of RH services in the campus were barriers for condom use. Hence, health education programs and programs for reducing premarital sex shall be strengthened.