Why The Gap Between Awareness (Knowledge) And Practice Among The Youth In Hohoe District: Hiv/Aids And Condom Use

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY

Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, more and more people get

infected everyday worldwide. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that

people become more and more aware of the causes and preventive methods of

the scourge.

Despite the high knowledge of HIV infection, and sexual health-enhancing

benefits of condoms, condom use is still very low among the sexually active

youth irrGhana

It is against this background that this study was designed to assess knowledge

on HIV/AIDS amongst the youth, to determine the preventive methods, and

identify factor non-use of condoms.

Methodology involved a combination of both quantitative and qualitative

techniques. 364 questionnaire were administered to both males and females

aged 15 to 24 years. This was to solicit responses on knowledge, types of

preventive methods known to them and level of condom use among them.

Also 220 questionnaire on sexual behaviour were administered to a separate

youth within the same age group. In-depth interviews were done together with

Focus Group Discussions.

VI

Qualitative data was analyzed manually after necessary translation and

transcriptions were done. The quantitative data was analyzed using Epilnfo(

version 6) computer programme.

Major findings indicate that the main reason for lack of condom use despite the

rather high awareness is that use of condoms reduces sexual satisfaction

especially among the males. This is given more credence given the fact that the

use condom males have more dominating decision-making power regarding sex

than their male counterparts. Another significant finding is that the use of

condoms generates suspicion that one has HIV/AAIIDS and since no one wants

to be stigmatized, the tendency is to use of the condom.

It is recommended that the youth be given social/political empowerment to youth

organization that will address HIV/AIDS with special reference to condom use.