ATTITUDE AND MISCONCEPTION TOWARDS HIV/AIDS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG EARLY ADOLESCENT STUDENTS IN NORTH ETHIOPIA

Haftay Gebremedhin*, Henock Gebremedhin, Awrajaw Desse, Mussie Alemayehu, Hailay Abreha,
Yemane Berhane and Girmatsion Fisseha

ABSTRACT

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has emerged as a major health and development concern worldwide. Today, more than half of all new infections strike people under the age of 25 years. In Ethiopia, information on attitude towards HIV/AIDS among these early adolescents is a little known. Therefore, this study aimed to assess attitude and misconception towards HIV/AIDS and associated factors among early adolescent students in Mekelle city, North Ethiopia. Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted among early adolescent students in Mekelle City from February 1 to 30, 2014. A total of 845 students were included in this study using a multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 16 and a variable having p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant variable in all tests. Results: A total of 845 students were included in the study and making a response rate of 97.6%. Of these, 480 (58.2%) were females. Five hundred ninety four (72%) of respondents had positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS, People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and AIDS orphans. Students grade [AOR=0.60, 95%CI (0.38, 0.94)] and peer discussion [AOR=1.70, 95%CI (1.23, 2.37)] were identified as a positive predictor of attitude towards HIV/AIDS, PLWHA and AIDS orphans. Conclusion: This study showed that, there is negative attitude towards PLWHA, HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans. So, strengthening the current HIV/AIDS education program and further revising strategies for AIDS risk reduction in early adolescents should be considered.

Keywords: Early adolescents, HIV/AIDS, Attitude, North Ethiopia.