Abstract:
Sexual behaviour remains the primary target of AIDS prevention efforts worldwide, it is
one kind of human behaviour that continues to affect youths world wide. Despite
government efforts and NGOs effort’s to address HIV/AIDS, youths continue to be
affected disproportionally. Understanding the socio-cultural context in which sexual
behaviour occurs will help to protect youth from HIV/AIDS. The general objective of this
study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and sexual behaviour of university
students concerning HIV/AIDS in order to provide necessary information to university
authorities and assist policy makers to design more relevant and efficient programmes to
combat HIV/AIDS specifically targeting university students. The study adopted a cross
sectional design using closed ended self administered questionnaires from a sample of 360
students in two public universities. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 11.5 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics and index scales were used
to gauge levels of risky sexual behaviour, misconception on means of HIV/AIDS
transmission, attitude and barriers to sexual behavioural change. F-test was used to test the
hypotheses at 5% level of significance. The key findings indicate that students’ sexual
behaviour was influenced by demographic characteristics such as age, living arrangement,
marital status, university of study and entrance status (P<0.05). Risk of sexual behaviour
increased with student’s age up to 35-39 age group and girls were at more risk than boys.
Levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS were found to be high. However, misconception
was widespread. Sexual behaviour was not associated with attitude towards HIV/AIDS and
perceived barriers to sexual behavioural change. The study recommends the government
and universities to develop policies, programmes and strategies to address sexual
behaviours. In addition, peer-based interventions should be increased to ensure that
university students have access to accurate information on HIV/AIDS.
