Abstract:
Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is currently the most threatening menace to the current and future generations. The youth are seemingly the worst hit. The government is employing intensive HIV/AIDS campaigns and has even provided a secondary school curriculum on HIV/AIDS. However, high levels of new infections are still being reported among the youths and students in particular. This could be attributed to the HlV/AIDS awareness level among them. Therefore the main purpose of this study was to investigate the students’ awareness level of HIV/AIDS and how this influences their sexual behaviour. The study was carried out in Othaya Division, Nyeri district. Ex-pox! fi1C[0 design was used. The target population of about 5000 students was used and was drawn from seven schools for: boys only, girls only and mixed schools. A sample of 360 students, was selected through proportional stratified and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and to be precise frequency tables and percentages. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 9.0 was used to aid in data analysis. An analysis of the results indicated that there are many students who have low awareness level of HIV/AIDS related facts. This study found that there is a large number of students who do not have correct facts about HIV/AIDS. lt was further noted that teenage premarital sex is common among high school students with 38% of all respondents being sexually active. Owing to incorrect facts that students have, it is evident that the students engage in unprotected or casual sex considering that 83% revealed that they have never used a condom and are therefore prone to HIV infections. The study recommended that precise and simplified HlV/AIDS information sources should be made available to high school students. These may include wall charts, brochures and HIV/AIDS information updates from the Ministry of Health. The study further recommended that peer group directed programmes on sexual behaviour and the spread of HIV/AIDS should be introduced and strengthened in schools. The findings and recommendations of this study are therefore, helpful in improving and re- inventing the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign strategies.
