142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Online Program

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

311729
Sexual practices and knowledge about HIV and other STIs prevention in Rumbek, Lakes State, South Sudan

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 10:30 AM - 10:42 AM

Pamela Mukaire, MEd, MPH, DrPH , Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University. School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA
Rebecca Makhande, MS , Dept. Community Health Promotion and Education, Uganda Christian University, Mukono Town, Uganda
HIV prevalence in South Sudan is generalized as low at 2.7% among 15-49 years old. Lake State has a low prevalence rate of 2.5%, and even lower in Rumbek County. However with massive post-conflict population movements, Rumbek is now in greater contact with “outsiders” whose sero-status is likely positive.

 

A Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) survey was conducted to assess knowledge of HV prevention and sexual behaviors among three groups totaling 286 participants (women 15-49 years, men 15-54 years and youth 15-24 years) in Rumbek County. Data was analyzed using LQAS plan specifications required to classify indicators.

 

Among women, 0% correctly identified ways to prevent HIV transmission; 5% reported ever using condoms; 1.3% reported consistent condom use; 12.5% correctly assessed their risk of contracting HIV; 33.3% correctly identified common STI symptoms. Among men, 0% correctly identified ways to prevent HIV transmission; 12.2% reported ever using condoms; 2.2% reported consistent condom use; 17.6% correctly assessed their risk of contracting HIV; 42.3% correctly identified common STI symptoms. Among youth ages 15-24, 0% correctly identified ways to prevent HIV transmission; 7.9% of sexually active youth had ever used a condom; 3.5% reported condom use during last sexual encounter; only 1.2% of used condoms consistently; 23.9% correctly identified common STI symptoms.

As a community now open to populations from bordering countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS, low risk perceptions and levels of knowledge of HIV prevention are concerning. Comprehensive coverage of knowledge of HIV/AIDS is yet to be achieved in this population.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
Describe the sexual practices and HIV and other STI prevention knowledge among the young and adult population in Rumbek County Describe the factors associated with HIV acquisition in this population

Keyword(s): Risk Factors/Assesment, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral candidate for the DrPH and have had numerous opportunities to work with faith-based organizations focusing on HIV prevention. Among my research interests has been the development of strategies for preventing HIV and STDs in post conflict hard-to-reach underserved populations. I assisted with the interpretation, and analysis of data for this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3158.0: HIV/AIDS