Has high knowledge of HIV/AIDS among the youth translated into positive sexual behavior in Northern Uganda?

Abstract

Uganda has been hailed for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic from an 18% prevalence in 1992 to only 6.1%. However, it rose to 6.4% in 2004/5. Northern Uganda, which faced political turmoil and insurgency for 20 years, presents a mixed picture, with the highest prevalence, 9.4%, in the country. The main objective of the research was to investigate the relationship between socio-economic characteristics, knowledge and practices towards HIV/AIDS among youth in Northern Uganda Region. Data on 910 youth from Northern Uganda was extracted from the national Uganda demographic and health survey of 2006. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied. Results from multivariate analysis show that age, residence, education, occupation, knowledge of one who has died from or is sick with AIDS and risk perceptions were significant predictors of condom use at last sex. Only sex was observed to be significantly related to willingness to be tested for HIV. In conclusion, although knowledge about HIV is important, translating it into behavior or practices to prevent or protect individuals from contracting HIV is essential. There is a need for sensitizing youth on the need to adopt safe sexual behavior. A comprehensive school sex education programme that scales up the understanding of safe behavior and enables girls to negotiate for safe sex will be required. The findings have important implications for the development of primary HIV/AIDS prevention programs for youth in war-torn areas.