Adolescents’ Sources of Information and Knowledge Levels on Hiv/Aids: A Study of Two Communities in the Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated sources of information and knowledge levels of adolescents’ on HIV/AIDS in two communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Using systematic sampling, one hundred and sixty adolescents (160) aged 10 to 21 were surveyed. Situated within the Health information-seeking behavior concept and the knowledge gap theoretical frameworks, the study revealed that Television (30.2%), Teachers (15.4%), Radio (10.3%) and Internet (10.3%) were the preferred sources; while Parents, Health workers, Books/Magazines and Newspapers were the least preferred sources of information on the disease among adolescents in the two communities. The main reasons given for the preferred sources were easy accessibility, usefulness, and truth and credibility of information from these sources. In the case of Television, its audio visual nature was one of the reasons it was preferred. The study also revealed a generally high knowledge level (95.6%) among respondents on the modes of transmission, prevention and treatment of the disease in both communities regardless of their socio-economic disparity. This notwithstanding, detailed analysis of responses to ‘knowledge level’ questions revealed significant misconceptions regarding modes of transmission, prevention and treatment of the disease in both communities, though more prevalent in Nsukwao Abotanso. Further, the findings of the study suggested that certain sources related to more knowledge levels than others. Results of the Chi-square test rejected the assumption that adolescents in Effiduase SSNIT were more knowledgeable than their counterparts in Nsukwao Abotanso. The test showed that respondents’ socio-economic status did not determine their knowledge level.