Abstract:

Background: HIV/AIDS is a leading pandemic disease, and mostly vulnerable group are young adults. This may be due to lack of adequate and correct information, lack of access to adequate reproductive health service, economic hardship, commercialization of sex, ignorance and cultural conflict. The provision of adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS is a powerful way of promoting positive attitude as well as safe practice.

Objective: To determine knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviors among secondary schools students in Nyamagana District in Mwanza.

Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in Nyamagana district, Mwanza to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviors among secondary students. All necessary information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was entered in the computer and analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: Among the participants majority 358(98.6%) had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS on the mode of transmission and majority had positive attitude towards PLHIV. Majority of students have engaged sexual activities 233(64.2%) and 111(30.6%) didn’t adhere to the use of protective measures against HIV/AIDS during sexual activity.

Conclusion: The study revealed that students of secondary schools in Mwanza in which the study was conducted generally had high knowledge on the basics of HIV/AIDS as well as positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Nevertheless, students in secondary schools reported less frequent condom use this shows a lower level of knowledge about condom use as an effective HIV prevention measure. This is partly attributable to the fact that most HIVAIDS intervention have tended to exclude young adults in secondary schools settings with a belief that they are already well informed and equipped with basic knowledge and skills. Having knowledge and awareness on HIV/AIDS-related information did not translate to students decision to undergo voluntary testing.