Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Hiv/Aids among University Students and the Nature of Risky Sexual Behaviour: A Case Study of Daystar University

Abstract

The spread of HIV infection is on the increase among young people aged between 15 and 24 years in sub-Saharan Africa, a group containing the majority of university students. Due to their propensity to risky sexual behaviour, university students are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of university students regarding HIV/AIDS and the nature of their risky sexual behaviour. The objectives were to assess the knowledge and attitudes of university students regarding HIV/AIDS, to determine the nature of risky sexual activity among university students and to establish the impact of university students’ knowledge and attitudes on their sexual behavioural practices. The scope of the study was undergraduate students from Daystar University, from both Athi River and Nairobi Campus, and the sample population comprised of 350 students across all five schools, in both campuses. Descriptive research design was used in the study and the primary data was collected through questionnaires. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that students had high knowledge about HIV, females having greater knowledge than males, and they had fairly good attitudes towards HIV. A greater percentage of students were sexually active (62%) than not (38%). It was common for sexually active students to have had multiple sexual partners over their lifetime and to be engaged in other risky sexual behaviours, however the majority of students had low risk perception regarding contracting HIV. The results concluded that while students had high knowledge and good attitudes regarding HIV, neither of these made a significant impact on their sexual behaviour, which was risky. The study recommended that further education on HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behaviours be implemented within Daystar University and within the wider community.