Trends in HIV infection: prevention-related attitudes and behaviors among secondary school students in western Uganda

Abstract

Objective: To monitor trends in the attitudes and behaviors of youth in western Uganda with respect to prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Design: Annual data collection in a group of sentinel secondary schools in 3 districts using a short, self-administered, and anonymous questionnaire.

Methods: Fifteen secondary schools were randomly selected, and a cross-sectional survey of students was carried out each year between 1995 and 2001. All students from S (senior level) 2 to S4 were invited to complete the questionnaire. For data analysis, all completed questionnaires of students between the ages of 12 and 20 years were considered.

Results: In total, 6 surveys were carried out yielding 6231 valid questionnaires. Ever use of condoms among sexually active youth increased significantly from 48.8% in 1995 to 1996 to 72.8% in 2000 to 2001. Male students were more likely to report increased sexual abstinence during the time period than female students. Conversely, female students over the same time period reported having fewer sexual partners than male students. The number of sexually active students reporting sexual intercourse in the past 3 months remained the same.

Conclusions: These data show that significant positive changes in the sexual behavior of secondary school students in western Uganda have occurred. This could explain, in part, the decline of HIV prevalence rates among young people observed in this region.