University Students’ Knowledge of HIV/AIDS at an Adventist University in Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and awareness level of HIV/AIDS among university students at an Adventist institution in Arusha, Tanzania. This was undertaken on the ground that knowing about HIV/AIDS is one of the main ways by which the formidable disease can be controlled. The sample comprised 97 male and female participants who were administered an HIV/AIDS questionnaire consisting of15 questions/statements. The data analysis comprised frequency, percentage, chi-square and level of probability. Respondents’ performance was comparable to what other researchers have reported both in Tanzania and other parts of the world. The scoring fell into three categories of frequency and percentage, namely low, average and high. These were as follows: frequency 30.6; 30.6 per cent were low. For the average, the frequency was 62.8; 64.8 per cent. For those who scored high, the frequency was 82.8; 85.3 per cent. It was concluded that the HIV/AIDS knowledge students commanded was not sufficient to lead to reduction in HIV/AIDS transmission. Thus calling for more public HIV/AIDS education in institutions of higher learning in Tanzania.