SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE, BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES RELATING TO HIV-INFECTIONAND AIDS AMONG KENYAN SECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS

To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour with respect to HIV and AIDS among Kenyan secondary school students, a questionnai re was issued to 3,018 students of mean age 16.3 years in 11 Kenyan sc hools. Questions of knowledge were answered correctly by an average of 77.1% of students. Areas where students' knowledge was less complete included the inability of mosquitoes to transmit the virus, the protec tive effect of condoms, the lack of protection from medications, the f atal and incurable nature of AIDS, and the fact that those infected wi th HIV may appear healthy. No prior sexual experience was reported by 71.3% of females and 25.2% of males. Multiple sexual partners were rep orted by 41.2% of males and 7.3% of females. Sixty per cent of student s denied ever using condoms during sex and only 6.8% of those with mul tiple partners used them all the time. A prior sexually-transmitted di sease was reported by 5.6% of students. Although a high level of knowl edge regarding HIV and AIDS is evident among Kenyan students there is a sizable number who admit to extensive sexual experience, but who are not using condoms, thereby putting themselves at risk.