Abstract:
Background: Young people in sub-Saharan Africa are most-at risk of HIV infection. This elevated
risk in the young black population may be explained by the lack of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge,
attitudes towards the epidemic and risky sexual behaviours.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and behaviour among
youth towards HIV infection and to explore the possible aetiological factors associated with the
youth’s vulnerability to HIV infection.
Methods and materials: This survey adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional design and a
quantitative approach.The survey population comprised of all youth aged 15-24 years visiting two
Namakgale clinics. An expected sample of (n=152) youths was recruited through convenience
sampling. Pretesting of the questionnaire was conducted on 15 youths at Mashishimale Clinic.
Data was collected using self-completed questionnaire. The data was captured using Microsoft
Excel and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 22.
Results: Knowledge on HIV: The majority (77%) of the respondents could distinguish HIV and
AIDS and had knowledge that HIV could cause AIDS. The majority of respondents (80%) had
knowledge of how HIV was transmitted. The majority of the respondents, (84.9%) knew that
HIV/AIDS could not be cured. However, misconceptions about HIV transmission still exist for
example, 13.2 % of youth stated that mosquito bites could transmit HIV and whilst 22.4% believed
that witchcraft could cause HIV. The main source of HIV information was television (89%).
Attitudes towards PLHIV: About 82.9% disagreed that all PLHIV should live away from
Namakgale while 72. 4% stated that if their relative had HIV they would care for them. Overall,
Namakgale youth held positive attitudes towards PLHIV.
Risky sexual behaviours: About 61.8% of females, compared to their male counterparts (38.2%)
ever had sex. 61.8% of females compared to 50.0% of males have had sex before their 15th
birthday. 36.5% have had 3-5 lifetime sexual partners in comparison to 29.6% of their female
counterparts. 44.2% of males did not use condoms at last sex compared to their female
counterparts (33.3%).
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Recommendations: There is an urgent need for intensifying awareness campaigns on HIV and
AIDS as well as school-based interventions for youths who still harbour myths and misconceptions
about HIV transmission. Policy makers and the media should focus more on late adolescents (15-
19 years) risky sexual practices such as intergeneration sex (age group between sexual partners is
10 years or more), transactional sex etc.
