Underserved adolescent orphans' knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour in a setting with a high prevalence of HIV

Abstract

The sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge level and sexual behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS among adolescent orphans were examined. Orphans aged 15-18 years old in Nigeria were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and experience of sexual intercourse. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. A total of 370 respondents were assessed. Sixty (16.2%) orphans reported having experience of sexual intercourse, and 19 (31.6%) orphans used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse. The interviewees who were currently attending school had reduced likelihood of having experience of sexual intercourse [odds ratio (OR)=0.315 ; 95% confidence interval (CI) : 0.175, 0.568] . Among male orphans, those with higher scores of knowledge regarding STI and HIV/AIDS were Christian, complete orphans and reported good attitudes of people within the community toward orphans ; among females, those with greater age and completion of primary school showed higher scores. Orphans' health literacy-related avoidance of health risks, such as STI and HIV/AIDS, was dependent not only on age and educational level, but also on level of community support and satisfaction with their life.