Abstract
While studies have shown that the total number of new HIV / AIDS infections globally is on the decrease, many Sub Saharan countries continue to record high HIV prevalence. This is the case especially among the youth living in informal settlements such as Kibera slums in Kenya. Proper and consistent condom use has been presented as one of the best ways of preventing the transmission of HIV among the youth whereas abstinence has been found to be a challenge for the youth who are seen as sexually active. Though several behaviour change campaigns have been done in Kenya to promote the use of condoms among the youth, their uptake is still low (Coma, 2014). Consequently, this study sought to find out the factors were influencing condom use decisions among the youth. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour that links behaviour change to intention to perform behaviour greatly influenced by attitude, social norms and perceived behavioural control. Data for this quantitative study was collected through a questionnaire administered to 400 youths in Kibera and 356 were completed. Data collected were keyed into SPSS for analysis and presented in tables and graphs. Findings of the study revealed that many of the youth were sexually active (51 per cent) but were not using condoms. Their perception was that they were at no risk of infection (53.2 per cent). This perception of not being at risk impedes condom use among the youth hence the high HIV prevalence while another group felt that the free distributed condoms were of low quality. The study recommends that communicators, especially in this era of new media should tailor campaigns to address the perception of youth towards condoms. In addition, condom communication campaigns should link condom use to perception of risk of infection.
 Key words: Condoms, HIV/AIDS, youth, perception, Kenya, Kibera
Highlights
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, more than thirty years since the first case was reported (Friedland, 2016)
In 2013, for instance, there were more than two million new infections, 75 percent of which were concentrated in only 15 countries, with Kenya being among those countries and among the top ten countries in Africa in terms of HIV burden (UNAIDS, 2014)
This paper examines the perception of youth towards risk of HIV/AIDS infection and how it affects their condom use decisions
Summary
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide, more than thirty years since the first case was reported (Friedland, 2016). In 2013, for instance, there were more than two million new infections, 75 percent of which were concentrated in only 15 countries, with Kenya being among those countries and among the top ten countries in Africa in terms of HIV burden (UNAIDS, 2014) This implies that the rate of new infections among the Kenyan population is still high. HIV/AIDS is a disease with no confirmed cure yet, and only a fraction of those infected are able to access anti-retroviral drugs. This makes prevention a top priority especially among the youth of 15 to 24 years (Puffer et al, 2011). These include early sex debut, many sexual partners, cross-generational sex partners, proneness to engaging in unprotected sex, and engaging in sex for monetary gain among others (Mavedzenge et al, 2011a; as cited in Santelli, Speizer, & Edelstein, 2013)
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