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HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude and practice among Dilla University Students, Ethiopia


Tarekegn T. Gemeda
Abineh U. Gandile
Demisse S. Bikamo

Abstract

The growing rate of educational institutions and student population at the tertiary level in Ethiopia is remarkable; this may lead to a corresponding increase to exposure to HIV/AIDS. Based on this orientation, this study estimated the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of HIV/AIDS among university students in Ethiopia. Four hundred forty one students were chosen through multi-stage probability sampling technique. Data was collected through five point measurement scale. One sample t-test and Structural Equation Modelling based on Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed for data analysis. It was found that the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, and practice were 53%, 95%CI = -.03- .06, p = .55; 58 %, 95%CI = .01- .10, p<.05; and = 92 %, 95%CI = .37- .42, p<.001 respectively. Apart from knowledge, the observed value of attitude and practice were higher than their corresponding expected values with the effect size, d = 0.12 for attitude and d = 0.82 for practice. Implications were discussed to assist students develop comprehensive knowledge and desirable attitude towards self-protective skills against HIV infection.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, HIV/AIDS, Ethiopia, University students


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eISSN: 1118-4841