FACTORS THAT PREDISPOSE ADOLESCENTS TO HIV/AIDS/STIs IN COMMUNITIES IN AND AROUND THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST, GHANA.

ABSTRACT

This study examined factors that predispose adolescents to Human Immunodeficiency Virus! Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromel Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV/AIDS/STIs) in the communities in and around the University ofCape Coast, Central Region, Ghana as a result of rising incidence of HIV/AIDS/STIs reported cases in the University Hospital, particularly among adolescents. Using an exploratory cross-sectional study design, a probability sampling method was used to select 450 adolescents in 9 out of 12 communities in the study area. Using interview schedules, the data obtained from 435 available respondents was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) and Excel programmes. The findings revealed that knowledge gap on HIV/AIDS/STIs among adolescents and some socio-cultural factors predisposed adolescents to HIV/AIDS/STIs. The results also indicate that, in addition to wrong perception about condom and its use, hard drug, multiple sexual partners and alcohol were identified by the respondents as risky behaviours predisposing adolescents to HIVIAIDS/STIs. The researcher recommends that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) should intensify campaigns and programmes targeting adolescents on the factors that predispose adolescents to HIV/AIDS/STls. Also, the Ghana Education Service (GES), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders should provide adolescents with the necessary communication and other life skills to protect them from HIV/AIDS/STls. The adolescents should avail themselves of information on HIV/AIDS/STls because they form the pillars ofthe nation's future human resource base.