HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG ADOLESCENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS IN SOME SELECTED SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN GHANA

ABSTRACT The central aim of this sequential explanatory mixed method research aimed at exploring HIV/AIDs knowledge and sexual behaviours of adolescents with hearing impairments (HI) in some selected special schools in Ghana. This study mixed method designs was employed to achieve the aim. Self-constructed questionnaires were administered to three hundred and ten (N=310) adolescents from four (4) special schools in four regions of Ghana. Self-structured questionnaire, which made up of HIV/AIDs Knowledge and sexual behaviour scales, were used in gathering quantitative data. In collecting qualitative data, interviews were used. SPSS software version 17.0 was used to summarize quantitative data. Main data analytic strategies used in the study included frequency distribution tables, Measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation), t-test and correlations. Open, axial and selective coding systems were used to analyze qualitative data. Results showed that although adolescent with HI were aware of HIV/AIDs, they had no knowledge of HIV/AIDs; most of them were engaged in sexual behaviours that placed them at high risk of contracting HIV. In addition, study disclosed that risky sexual behaviours could be predicted from adolescent with HI lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDs. There was a statistical significant difference between female and male adolescents’ knowledge of HIV/AIDs as well as their risky sexual behaviours. Findings have significant implications on adolescents with HI as well as educational programming in Ghana. It is recommended that GES should develop policies and programmes that support collaboration among stakeholders. At family and community level, adequate information should be provided for adolescents with HI. This will help fill the HIV/AIDs information gap between adolescent with HI and their hearing counterpart. Finally, at the school level, curriculum designers should include appropriate HIV/AIDS education programmes in their programme planning.