Knowledge about HIV and AIDS among Young Women
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Nursing Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. 2 Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. 3 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
1 Department of Nursing Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. 2 Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. 3 Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
ABSTRACT
HIV and AIDS are a major health concern among women worldwide. It is important that women especially youths are educated about HIV and AIDS because they represent a window of opportunity for reversing HIV rates if effective prevention programs can reach them before they engage in risky sexual behaviour. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men and play a central role in the concept of the family, in nurturing, protecting, and caring for the family. The aim of the study was to explore HIV and AIDS knowledge among young women. A qualitative exploratory approach using focus group discussions was used and content analysis was used to interpret the data. A total of 8 focus group discussions were conducted two study sites intervention and control site. The analysis revealed 6 themes namely definition of HIV and AIDS, seriousness of HIV and AIDS in the community, signs and symptoms, transmission of HIV, cure for HIV and AIDS and prevention. The findings showed that some participants had knowledge deficit on HIV and AIDS, therefore continued community sensitisation is essential.
HIV and AIDS are a major health concern among women worldwide. It is important that women especially youths are educated about HIV and AIDS because they represent a window of opportunity for reversing HIV rates if effective prevention programs can reach them before they engage in risky sexual behaviour. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men and play a central role in the concept of the family, in nurturing, protecting, and caring for the family. The aim of the study was to explore HIV and AIDS knowledge among young women. A qualitative exploratory approach using focus group discussions was used and content analysis was used to interpret the data. A total of 8 focus group discussions were conducted two study sites intervention and control site. The analysis revealed 6 themes namely definition of HIV and AIDS, seriousness of HIV and AIDS in the community, signs and symptoms, transmission of HIV, cure for HIV and AIDS and prevention. The findings showed that some participants had knowledge deficit on HIV and AIDS, therefore continued community sensitisation is essential.
Cite this paper
M. Ngoma, C. , Roos, J. and Siziya, S. (2015) Knowledge about HIV and AIDS among Young Women. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 558-565. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2015.56059.
M. Ngoma, C. , Roos, J. and Siziya, S. (2015) Knowledge about HIV and AIDS among Young Women. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 558-565. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2015.56059.
References
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www.avert.org/can-you-get-hiv.htm [12] Ministry of Health and Central Board of Health (2002) Integrated Technical Guidelines for Frontline Health Workers. 2nd Edition, Ministry of Health and Central Board of Health, Lusaka. [13] Central statistical Office (2002) Zambia Demographic and Health Survey: 2001-2002. Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Health (MoH) and Macro International Inc., Calverton. [14] Raheel, H., White, F., Kadir, M.M. and Fatmi, Z. (2007) Knowledge and Beliefs of Adolescents Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS in a Rural District in Pakistan. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 1, 8-10. [15] WHO (2002) Facts Sheets on HIV/AIDS. World Health Organization, Geneva. [16] Brewer, D.D, Potterat, J.J, Garrett, S.B, Muth, S.Q, Roberts, J.M, Kasprzy, R.D, Montano, D.E and Darrow, W.W. (2000) Prostitution and the sex discrepancy in reported number of sexual partners. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences of the United States of America, 97, 12385-12388.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.210392097 [17] Sozi, C. (2007) Its Reckless Telling People to Stop Taking ARVs. The Post No. 3994, 2.
[1] UNAIDS (2004) UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. UNAIDS, Geneva. [2] UNAIDS/WHO (2005) AIDS Epidemic Update. UNAIDS, Geneva. [3] Central Statistical Office (2003) Zambia Sexual Behaviour Survey. Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Health and Measures Evaluation, Chapel Hill. [4] Simwanza, A. (2005) The Post 3207: 15 Friday July 29. [5] Pratt, R.J. (1995) HIV and AIDS: A Strategy for Nursing Care. 4th Edition, Arnold, London. [6] Ulin, R.P., Robinson, T.E., Trolley, E.E. and McNeil, T.E. (2002) Qualitative Methods: A Field Guide for Applied Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health. Family Health International, Research Triangle Park. [7] LoBiondo-Wood, G. and Haber, J. (2006) Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice. 6th Edition, Mosby Inc., St Louis. [8] Hogle, J., Stalker, M., and Hassig, S. (1996) Conducting Effective Focus Group Discussions. Family Health International, Arlington. [9] Creswell, J.W. (2003) Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Sage, Thousand Oaks. [10] Center for Disease Control and Prevention (1999) Family Planning Methods and Practice: Africa. 2nd Edition, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Reproductive Health, Atlanta. [11] Avert (2014) HIV Transmission Routes.
www.avert.org/can-you-get-hiv.htm [12] Ministry of Health and Central Board of Health (2002) Integrated Technical Guidelines for Frontline Health Workers. 2nd Edition, Ministry of Health and Central Board of Health, Lusaka. [13] Central statistical Office (2002) Zambia Demographic and Health Survey: 2001-2002. Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Health (MoH) and Macro International Inc., Calverton. [14] Raheel, H., White, F., Kadir, M.M. and Fatmi, Z. (2007) Knowledge and Beliefs of Adolescents Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS in a Rural District in Pakistan. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 1, 8-10. [15] WHO (2002) Facts Sheets on HIV/AIDS. World Health Organization, Geneva. [16] Brewer, D.D, Potterat, J.J, Garrett, S.B, Muth, S.Q, Roberts, J.M, Kasprzy, R.D, Montano, D.E and Darrow, W.W. (2000) Prostitution and the sex discrepancy in reported number of sexual partners. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences of the United States of America, 97, 12385-12388.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.210392097 [17] Sozi, C. (2007) Its Reckless Telling People to Stop Taking ARVs. The Post No. 3994, 2.