Assessment and predictors of HIV knowledge among vocational school adolescents in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Despite substantial progress in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome globally, it remains a threat to global adolescent health. This study assessed the level of HIV knowledge among vocational school students and identified the relevant factors. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from August to September 2019. A total of 345 students aged 15 to 19 years were selected from three vocational schools in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, using a multistage random sampling technique. The HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (18 item version) was used to collect the data, which were analysed by mean, frequency, Chi- square and binary logistic regression. Results: Only 38.8% of participants were fully aware of HIV knowledge; five individual items showed a significant difference in knowledge of HIV between males and females; two items relating to HIV prevention knowledge (P=0.021, 0.009); two items relating HIV transmission (P=0.028, 0.035); one item relating to HIV diagnosis (P=0.008). Factors that were significantly associated with HIV knowledge included gender (male vs. female, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01-3.34), residence (sub-district municipality area vs. sub-district of administrative organization area, OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23-0.84), education (2nd and 3rd academic year vs. 1st, OR 7.00, 95% CI 2.40-20.41; OR 6.40, 95% CI 2.05-20.01) and source of income (from both parents vs. self, OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04-0.64). Conclusions: There are serious deficits and disparities in the knowledge of male and female adolescents on HIV transmission, prevention and diagnosis, and there is a need to expand the provision of gender-focused sexual health education programs.