Knowledge, risk perception of AIDS and reported sexual behaviour among students in secondary schools and colleges in Tanzania

A questionnaire survey was carried out among 1041 students in secondary sch ools and colleges in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania to evaluate the relationship b etween HIV-risky sexual behaviour and anti-condom bias, as well as with AID S-related information, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes. Self-reportedl y, 54% of students (75% of the boys and 40% of the girls) were sexually act ive, 39% had a regular sexual partner and 13% had multiple partners in the previous year, The condom use rate was higher than previous reports. Howeve r, 30% of sexually active respondents did not always use condoms (Risk-l be haviour) and 35% of those with multiple partners in the previous year did n ot always use condoms (Risk-2 behaviour), Multiple logistic regression anal yses indicated that 'sex partner hates condom' had association with both Ri sk-1 behaviour (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.58-3.85) and Risk-2 behaviour (OR 2.47; 9 5% CI 1.10-5.48). 'Use of condom prevents HIV infection' also had associati on with both Risk-1 behaviour (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.19-3.67) and Risk-2 behavi our (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.28-11.03). Students engaging in risky behaviour were aware of the risk, even though they failed to change their behaviour. Reas ons for the AIDS epidemic among Tanzanian students and the importance of mo re effective AIDS education are also discussed.