Effect of HIV/AIDS information distribution on the status of behavioral change among students of higher education institutions in Ethiopia: experience of Wollo University

Introduction: Substantial distribution of information, education, and communication related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are the most cost-effective means to deliver desirable behavioral changes to stop/diminish the spread of the disease. Material and methods:In the present study, a cross-sectional study was conducted, and the sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula.Collected data was processed with SPSS version 22.0 statistical software, and descriptive method of data analysis was used.A total of 363 participants were included from March to June 2020, using stratified sampling followed by a simple random sampling technique.Results: The findings revealed that, major source of information used by university students on HIV/AIDS was radio (52.3%), followed by television (47.1%).From the study subjects, 60.3%, 39.4%, and 31.9% of them labeled currently available information sources as group specific, fear arousing, and boring, respectively.Students from College of Medicine and Health Sciences showed a better understanding of the virus.Moreover, a small number of the study subjects, i.e., 66 (18.2%), had a negative attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.Conclusions: Most participants had fair knowledge about definition, transmission, and prevention of HIV/AIDS.However, knowledge by itself could not guarantee a change in behavior, as students were involved in different risky activities.In nearly all the cases, academic years of the participants and their field of study had an influence on the magnitude of behavioral changes delivered.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA

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