Education Level, Students' knowledge and attitude towards STIs and HIV /AIDS in selected secondary schools in Kisoro Municipality. Unpublished masters thesis. Makerere University; Kampala-Uganda.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of education level on students’ knowledge and attitudes towards STIs and HIV/AIDS in secondary schools in Kisoro Municipality. The main objectives were to establish: i) students’ knowledge of STIs/HIV ii) students’ attitudes towards STIs/HIV iii) sources of information on STIs/HIV and iv) the relationship between education level and students’ knowledge and attitudes towards STIs/HIV in selected secondary schools in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District. A sample size of 278 students from senior three and senior five aged 15-19 years from the selected secondary schools was obtained using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results were analyzed descriptively using frequency and percentage distributions. Variations in responses were established using Independent T-test to compare mean scores and significance. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was used to correlate Education level, and student’s knowledge and attitudes towards STIs/HIV AIDS. The findings showed that secondary school students in Kisoro Municipality were generally knowledgeable about STIs and HIV. Over 90% knew common examples of STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV. Also over 90% of the students could identify causes of STIs, their routes of transmission and major prevention ways. Students had various attitudes towards STIs/HIV. Majority of students (over 90%) felt that STIs can cause death if left untreated and would seek treatment immediately they notice symptoms on them.