Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is among the major public health problems facing the world today. While studies have assessed HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among college students, evidence shows that HIV prevalence among the youth has been growing at an alarming rate in the past five years. Thus, there is need for more studies to assess young people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on HIV/AIDS in higher learning institutions. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, sexual attitudes and behaviours, as well as the use of HIV prevention services among students at the Dar es Salaam College of Education (DUCE), in Tanzania. The study sample included 574 undergraduate students at the DUCE who were randomly selected to participate in the study. Quantitative approach was used to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of the students on HIV/AIDS. The knowledge level about HIV/AIDS among students was found to be generally high. Nevertheless, misconceptions about the routes of its transmission were found. Attitudes towards various issues related to HIV/AIDS were generally positive among the majority of students. Regarding sexual behaviours, the majority of the students were characteristically risky. For example, the absolute majority of the students (85.9%) had sexual partners during this survey. Specifically, two-thirds (61.0%) had one sexual partner, while 30.8% had had multiple partners in the past 12 months preceding the study. Moreover, the vast majority (87.7%) had engaged in sexual intercourse, 65.0% had had sex with one partner; while 35% had had sex with more than one partner in the past 12 months. More than half (51.1%) did not use condoms during the last sexual intercourse. The study concludes that DUCE undergraduate students were at a high risk of HIV infections based on various risk indicators that need attention in terms of intervention. This study provides evidence for the design of HIV prevention programmes tailored to the preferences and characteristics of undergraduate students in Tanzania, and in similar contexts.
Recommended Citation
Maluka, Stephen O.
(2023)
"HIV/AIDS-related Knowledge, Attitude and Sexual Behaviours Among Undergraduate Students at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania,"
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 12
:
No.
1
, Article 3.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v12i1/2