A Study Of The Threat Of HIV/AIDS To Adolescents In Hohoe District Of The Volta Region

Abstract

Though the threat of HIV/AIDS is universal, there appears to be a real threat of the disease to the young people of Hohoe District in the Volta Region. The district was selected in 1999 from the national level for HIV/AIDS control activities following progressively increasing results from Sentinel Surveillance Surveys conducted on antenatal clinic attendants at the Hohoe District Hospital (a sentinel site) where only 50% of pregnant women attend. The HIV prevalence in the district is 4% as against the national average of 5%. Besides, records in the district show a persistently high level of teenage pregnancies (above 10% of all antenatal attendants). This presupposes that the young people in the district are not protecting themselves and as such could be at a real threat of contracting HIV/AIDS. This study, which is a cross-sectional one, was conducted during the MPH field residency period, on both in-school (ISA) and out-of-school (OSA) adolescents aged 15-19 years and is aimed at validating this threat Information was sought on the Socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, knowledge of causes and prevention of HIV, ability to identify infected persons, susceptibility and whether the condition is amenable to treatment. The findings of the study revealed incidence of premarital sex with little or no protection (low condom use) and other misconceptions on the status and modes of transmission of the disease. Recommendations have therefore been made for prevention and control programmes. The field supervisor was Dr. Margaret Kweku, the District Director of Health Services (DDHS) of the district whilst the academic supervisors were Prof. J.S. Nabila and Dr. P. Antwi both of University of Ghana. The findings of the study will serve as a database for the planning and implementation of programmes for the prevention and control of STDs/HIV/AIDS in the district.