Predictors of Human Immunodefciency Virus Knowledge among Jordanian Youths
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2013, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Understanding factors associated with the level of human immunodefciency virus (HIV) knowledge acquisition is crucial to inform preventative programmes for young people. Tis study examines predictors of HIV knowledge among Jordanian youths. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 8,129 youths aged between 14 and 25 years randomly selected from schools representing each of the 12 governorates of Jordan. A total of 50% of respondents were female and, on average, 17 years old. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, gender awareness, exposure to and favourable attitudes toward risky behaviours. Results: On a 13-item HIV knowledge test, participants answered an average of 7 questions correctly (mean = 7.21; standard deviation = 2.63). Female respondents from rural areas demonstrated signifcantly lower levels of HIV knowledge, while college and university students demonstrated higher levels. HIV knowledge differed signifcantly by sources of information, with peeracquired information associated with more accuracy, while HIV information from parents or health centres was associated with a lower score. Youths with more egalitarian gender views also demonstrated higher knowledge levels, whereas youths approving of drug use showed lower levels of HIV knowledge. Conclusion: HIV education programmes in Jordan should focus on females and youths living in rural areas. Educational institutions have been shown to be effective in providing accurate information to students, while parents and health professionals should also be included in HIV prevention programmes in order to reduce misconceptions and raise the level of HIV knowledge among Jordanian youths.
Authors and Affiliations
Esra M. Al-Khasawneh| College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Leyla Ismayilova| School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Vidya Seshan| College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Olimat Hmoud| Social Work Institute, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, Nabila El-Bassel| School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, USA
Keywords
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