A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year university students in Malawi to determine distributions of HIV/AIDSrelated knowledge, and sexual behaviours. A total of 314 (199 male and 115 female) students were eligible to participate, and of these 221 (70.4%) participated in the survey. Generally, levels of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge were similar between sexes. Overall, 68.9% of students of both sexes felt that they knew enough about HIV/AIDS. Altogether, 83.3% of students reported that they knew where to access HIV testing on campus, but only 19.0% reported that they knew their HIV status. Some 60.3% of students who had never been tested intended to have an HIV test. A history of having ever been tested was not associated with sex. Most (68.4%) students felt that they were not at risk of acquiring HIV infection. Overall, 66.8% of students knew where to get a condom on campus, and 38.7% stated that they knew exactly how to use it. About half (52.6%) of the students used a condom at last vaginal sexual intercourse. Having multiple sex partners in the last 12 months was reported by 40.4% of students.Keywords: University students, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, sexual behaviours, Malawi. RésuméUne étude transversale a été réalisée parmi les étudiants de première année en université au Malawi pour déterminer la distribution des connaissances relatives au VIH/SIDA et les comportements sexuels. Au total, 314 étudiants (199 hommes et 115 femmes) ont été sélectionnés pour y participer. Un total de 221 (70.4 %) sur les 314 étudiants éligibles a participé à l' étude. Généralement, les niveaux de connaissances relatives au VIH/SIDA étaient similaires selon les sexes. Dans l' ensemble, 68.9% des étudiants des deux sexes pensaient en savoir suffisamment sur le VIH/SIDA. En tout, 83.3% des étudiants ont rapporté qu'ils savaient où accéder à un test de dépistage sur le campus et seulement 19.0% des étudiants ont rapporté connaître leur état sérologique. Quelques 60.3% des étudiants qui n'avaient jamais été testés ont essayé de passer un test de dépistage du VIH. Le fait de n'avoir été jamais testé n' était pas associé aux rapports sexuels. La majorité (68.4%) des étudiants pensait ne pas courir le risque d'une infection par le VIH. Dans l' ensemble, 66.8% des étudiants savaient où aller pour se procurer un préservatif sur le campus, et 38.7% des étudiants ont déclaré savoir exactement comment s' en servir. Environ la moitié (52.6%) des étudiants a utilisé un préservatif au cours du dernier rapport sexuel vaginal. Le fait d'avoir eu plusieurs partenaires sexuels au cours des 12 derniers mois a été rapporté par 40.4% des étudiants.

An exploratory study of men having sex with men (MSM) was conducted in central and southern Malawi in order to understand their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, and perceptions about confidentiality and stigma. A total of 97 men participated in the study of whom 84 (86.6%) were in the age group 17-32 years. The majority, 73 (75.3%) of MSM had never married, 26 (32.5%) reported not always using condoms during sexual intercourse, and 23 (23.7%) had ever received money or gifts in exchange of sex. Only 17 (17.5%) of the participants reported being exposed to HIV prevention messages targeted at MSM. Fear of sexual orientation disclosure and discrimination were reported by 27 (30.7%) of MSM. Many of the study participants reported that HIV intervention programmes are not accessible to them. In conclusion, HIV intervention programmes may not be reaching out to the majority of MSM. We suggest an exploration of the feasibility of HIV prevention interventions targeting MSM in this country where the practice is illegal. _________________________________________________________________________________________

This study -funded by Actionaid and UNICEF -sought to determine the extent to which violence prevents girls accessing primary school education in Malawi. It further sought to identify the different types of violence that girls experience when in primary school; the perpetrators of this violence; and where the violence takes place. The study established that girls are subject to several forms of violence as a result of their gender; that such gender-based violence is detrimental to their experience of primary education; and that it negatively affects their ability to access education in Malawi.

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This paper discusses the issue of equity in the distribution of ARV drugs in the Malawi health system. Malawi is one of the countries most severely affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world. ARV drugs are expensive.The Malawi government, with assistance from the Global Fund on Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS, started providing free ARV drugs to eligible HIV-infected people in September 2004. The provision of free drugs brought the hope that everyone who was eligible would access them. Based on data collected through a qualitative research methodology, it was found that achieving equity in provision would face several challenges including policy, operational and socio-economic considerations. Specifically, the existing policy framework, shortage of medical personnel, access to information and inadequacy of effective community support groups are some of the key issues affecting equity.