BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS HIV/AIDS INTERVENTIONS AMONG YOUTH IN GASABO DISTRICT, RWANDA

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to spread in most countries of the world including Rwanda. Since HIV/AIDS has no cure as yet, behaviour change has been fronted as the most likely scientific basis for the reduction in HIV prevalence. The virus is spread mainly through sexual behaviour and drug taking behaviours that are generally private and sometimes difficult to discuss openly. This study aimed to assess behaviour towards HIV/AIDS interventions among youth in Gasabo District. The specific objectives were: to establish the knowledge of HIV/AIDS interventions among youth in Gasabo District, to identify HIV/AIDS prevention services and programs accessible to youth in Gasabo District, to determine factors influencing the utilization of HIV prevention methods among youth in Gasabo District, to identify problems experienced by the youth towards HIV/AIDS prevention interventions. A descriptive cross sectional study among youth attending HIV services from Kabuga youth friendly center who were aged between 15 and 24 years residing in Gasabo district was conducted. A multistage sampling technique was used in this study for district selection, sectors selection and respondents selection. The District was sampled by using non-random sampling technique. The four sectors, two from rural and other two from urban area were selected using systematic sampling technique while the respondents were selected using Probability Proportional to size Sampling technique (PPS). The results of this study may serve as guide in decisions and policy making and challenge stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention for further thinking and research matters for understanding the role of behaviour for HIV/AIDS prevention among youth. One hundred and thirty two participants were recruited. Among them, 89 (67.4%) were tested for HIV, 43 (32.6%) were not tested and among those who were not tested 31 (72.1%) were planning to be tested while 12 (27.9%) were not planning to be tested .The reasons given by participants to be not tested were: 21 (48.8%) to know their serology status, 12 (27.9%) to be afraid of knowing their test results and 10 (23.3%) gave the reason that it‟s not easy to get some medication for HIV treatment. Among those who were tested, 74 (83.1%) were on their own decision, 15 (16.9%) were influenced by others. The number of 64 (48.5%) participants was sexually active, 68 (51.5%) were not sexually active. Most of those who were sexual active 47 (73.4%) used condom during their last sexual intercourse and only 17 (26.6%) did not use condom. Data analysis revealed the positive correlation between gender and sexual practice while; the Chi-Square (χ2) value was 4.539 with p-value of 0.037. There was also the positive correlation between the place of residence and HIV testing while; the Chi-Square (χ2) value was 7.824 with the p-value of 0.006 at 95% CI. Data analysis revealed also the negative correlation between gender and condom use with the Chi-square (χ2) value of 1.244 and the p-value of 0.377 at 95% CI. Based on the findings of the study, demographic, family, social and cultural characteristics were the most influencing factors of HIV prevention interventions. The study recommended the need to identify the most important interventions to prevent the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus among youth that consider as the most helpful for them in order to address remaining negative behaviours.