Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards sexual risk behaviour and perceived behavioural control among college students in Botswana

Abstract

This study examines the knowledge of HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards risky sexual behaviour and perceived behavioural control among students in Botswana. Data were collected from 445 students randomly selected from the University of Botswana and Boitekanelo College. Hundred and seventy three males and 272 females participated in the study. The study established that although more than 90% of students correctly identified routes of HIV transmission, misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS still exist. This includes the belief that people can be infected with HIV because of witchcraft and that only people who have sex with gay or homosexual partners can be infected with HIV. Majority of students were aware of various sexual risks. However, the percentage of students who indicated that "it is difficult to ask my partner to use a condom" was still relatively high (13.5%) based on the assumption that students are supposed to know the consequences of sexual risky behaviour. It was also found that male students were 3.48 times more likely to negotiate sex than their female counterparts (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.09 − 11.13) and students who were 18 years and below were more likely to negotiate sex than students above 18 years of age (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.42 − 18.32). Christians are four times less likely to negotiate sex compared to non-Christians (OR = 0.219, 95% CI: 0.095 − 0.506).The theory of planned behaviour advances the proposition that people's behaviour is strongly influenced by their confidence in their ability to perform it. This study is interested in the ability of college students to discuss sexual matters and refuse or negotiate a sexual relationship and how this ability is influenced by the knowledge and attitudes towards sexual risk behaviour. Based on the data collected among students from two institutions of higher learning in Botswana, it was found that that the majority of college students participating in the study had the ability to negotiate sexual relationships. Of concern, however, was the finding that a good number of students were still exposing themselves to risky sexual behaviour including the inability to negotiate pressure to have sex or for engage in sex without using condoms.More than 80% of students were comfortable discussing HIV or sex and sexuality with their friends, boyfriends/girlfriends or partners but uncomfortable discussing the same issues with their parents.

Validating the Theory of Planned Behavior Model Extended to Social Marketing Behavioral Enhancers Using Structural Equation Modeling

“…This model differs from the theory of planned behavior by adding two additional variables to predict behavior, namely, skills (e.g., knowledge) and environmental constraints (e.g., stigma). Similarly, a study conducted in Botswana among college students by Faimau et al (2016), by means of a systematic review of articles emphasizing on the theoretical basis of interventions conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, highlights the work of a couple of researchers who developed conceptual frameworks assuming that knowledge directly predicts sexual behavior or indirectly through intention (Michielsen et al, 2012). Likewise, a study comparing the basic theory of planned behavior model and an adapted version that integrated three information behaviors among which the exposure to HIV/AIDS information demonstrated that the proposed model improved predictions, explaining more than twice as much variance as the original information model (Meadowbrooke et al, 2014).…”

Sexually Active College Students’: Knowledgeable on Sexually Transmitted Infections but Why They Are Risking It With Their Sexual Behaviors?

“…Furthermore, it was found out that Participants A, B, C, and D preferred having genital and oral sex, while participant E includes anal sex without using any protection. Most of the students were aware of different sexual risks, however the result indicated that still, several students found it difficult to ask their partner to use condom (Faimau et al, 2016). As table 1, indicates that participants A, B, C, and E were highly at risk for STIs while participant D is considered to be comparatively at lower risk due to his knowledge and tried to practice safe sex.…”

Self-Efficacy and Feeling of Security Associated with Risky Sexual Behavior among Commercial Sex Workers Living with HIV

“…The theory of planned behavior emphasizes that apart from attitude, other factors influence someone to perform a behavior. The factors are social factor and self-awareness on behavioral control (Faimau, Maunganidze, Tapera, Mosomane, & Apau, 2016). Boileau, Rashed, Sylla, and Zunzunegui (2008) stated that sociocultural factors and religious norms could affect one's desire to engage in a behavior.…”