Humanimmunodeficiencyvirus/Acquired Immunodeficiencysyndromepreventivepractice Anditsassociatedfactorsamonghighschool Studentsofambotown,Westshoa,Ethiopia,2023

Abstract

Background: Young people aged between 15 and 24 years are at risk of human immunodeficiency virus globally. Abstinence, being faithful and condom use is the primary preventive practice strategy. A few number of young people with risky sexual behavior practice preventive practice including in school students in Ethiopia. This study tried to show magnitude of preventive practice and its associated factors. Objective: To assess human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome preventive practice and its associated factors among High School Students of Ambo town, West Shoa, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was done. 465 students were selected from four high schools of Ambo town, West Shoa using systematic random sampling and study conducted from May 8 19, 2023. Health Belief Model construct was used to assess preventive practice. Data collected using self administered structured questionnaire, entered to Epi-Data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics computed &Variables with p-value <0.25 in bi-variable logistic regression were included in multi-variable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio at 95% CI used, & variables with p value < 0.05 in the multi-variable logistic regression model were considered as statistically significant. Results were presented by text, table and graph. Results: Response rate for this study was 98.7%. From this, 359(78.2%) of them were in preventive practice. Three quarters 329(71.7%) used sexual abstinence as preventive practice. Among sexually active, 12(24.5%) in preventive practice from condom users & 18(13.8%) being faithful to one sexual partner. Sex (AOR=2.212[CI (95%):1.397-3.500]), mother educational level (AOR=2.963[CI (95%):1.186-7.408]), and HIV/AIDS knowledge (AOR=2.214[CI (95%):1.114-4.402]) were factors associated with sexual abstinence. Discussing about sexual issues with parents (AOR=6.332,[CI(95%): 1.300-30.847]), knowing someone died of HIV/AIDS (AOR=4.558,[CI(95%):1.142-18.182]), perceived severity of HIV/AIDS(AOR=17.780,[CI(95%): 2.390-132.260]) and self efficacy(AOR=4.308,[CI (95%):(1.041-17.832]) associated with condom use. Perceived benefit of prevention methods (AOR=5.962[CI (95%):1.530-23.225]) associated with being faithful to one sexual partner as preventive practice. Conclusion: Near to four in five of students were in preventive practice generally. However, preventive practice among sexually active low. Hence, emphasize should be given to increase students risk perception on severity of HIV/AIDS and self-efficacy on preventive practice through discussing and educating about HIV/AIDS