Factors Associated With HIV Preventive Behavior Among Adults in Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundHIV-positive people can spread the virus through unprotected sex; however, HIV can be avoided if populations are educated about the risks. In underdeveloped nations, evidence suggests that the ABC method for HIV prevention is quite effective. As a result, the goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of HIV prevention behavior among adults in the Majang zone of Southwest Ethiopia, as well as the factors that influence it.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from March 1st to May 31st, 2019. The data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a modified validated questionnaire among systematically selected study participants. The collected data were coded and entered using Epidata manager version 4.0.2.101 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. A logistic regression analysis was computed to determine the association using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals. The level of significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.ResultsOf the 772 adults interviewed, the proportion of adults who had good HIV preventive behavior was 51.8%, 95% CI [48.3–55.3%]. Two hundred forty (31.9%) were used abstinence as a type of HIV preventive behavior followed by being faithful (16.1%) and consistent condom use (7.3%). The study also found that respondents with the age group ≥27 years old (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.3–3.12]), marital status (being married (AOR = 6.30, 95% CI [4.48–11.4]), and divorced/widowed (AOR = 5.50, 95% CI [2.60–12.4]) and having good knowledge of HIV prevention methods (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.71–4.00]) were the factors associated with good HIV preventive behavior.Conclusion and RecommendationIn the study area, overall HIV prevention behavior was average. The characteristics linked with successful HIV prevention behavior among adults in the Majang community included increasing age, being married or divorced/widowed, and having a solid understanding of HIV prevention approaches. As a result, policy-level and multi-sectorial intervention approaches from all stakeholders are necessary to develop short- and long-term strategies to address the problem and improve the community’s quality of life.

HIV preventive practice and its associated factors among street dwellers in Ethiopia: Application of health belief model

“…The current study showed that participants who had good knowledge had a significant association with HIV preventive practice. This study finding was supported by other study findings in south-west Ethiopia [16], Dima district of the Gambella region [29], Gambella town [21], Majang zone-Gambella region [30], Afar region [31], Jigawa State, Nigeria [32], and Indonesia [33]. This might be due to the fact that good knowledge will produce good behavior, and people who are aware of HIV/AIDS will act responsibly when engaging in sexual activity [33].…”

Predictors of HIV/AIDS preventive behavior among undergraduate health science university students in Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Institution-based cross-sectional study

“…Younger students were more likely to have poor HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors than older students. This is similar to the study conducted in the Majang zone of the Gambella region, Ethiopia [ 2 ], but contradicts the study conducted among college students in Gambella town [ 13 ]. The discrepancy between these two studies might be due to sample size differences and the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants.…”

“…Furthermore, the current study is lower than previous studies conducted in the bench-maji zone of southern Ethiopia [ 15 ] and the majang zone of the Gambella region [ 2 ]. This discrepancy might be because participants in the current study had better information about the problem since it is part of their curriculum.…”

“…Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a major global public health issue that affects millions of people annually [ 1 , 2 ]. According to the United Nations AIDS epidemiological updates, 33.2 million people live with HIV/AIDS throughout the world [ 3 ].…”

“…It is Africa's 2nd biggest cause of morbidity and mortality and the 5th leading cause of global death among infectious diseases [ 2 ].…”