RESEARCH PAPER
Assessment of knowledge about condom use among high school students in selected schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa
1
University of Venda, School of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Limpopo, South Africa
2
Research Office, School of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Limpopo, South Africa
Submission date: 2019-04-17
Final revision date: 2019-05-16
Acceptance date: 2019-05-20
Publication date: 2019-09-12
HIV & AIDS Review 2019;18(3):222-227
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
epidemiology - population studiessocio-medical aspects of HIV and AIDSeducational aspects of HIV and AIDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Condoms safeguard against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among all age groups. The HIV transmission rate increases when condoms are not used properly. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge of condom use amongst high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students to assess their knowledge of condom use. A total of 346 eligible learners from various high schools in Shamavunga circuit of Limpopo were selected from grades 10-12 through systematic random sampling.
Material and methods:
Grade 12 students were comprised the majority of participants (37.3%, n = 129), followed by grade 11 at 35% and grade 10 at 27.7%. The group included more females than males.
Results:
A total of 307 (88.7%) students indicated that they had knowledge about the protection that condoms provide against HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), STIs, and pregnancy, whereas 39 (11.3%) students indicated insufficient knowledge. Furthermore, 91.3% of the learners reported that condoms cannot be used repeatedly, and 52% knew that condoms are available at no cost from clinics and hospital.
Conclusions:
The study found knowledge of condom use among high school students was evident, although some knowledge deficiencies were also noted including unrolling a condom before putting on the penis and using a condom with oil-based lubricant. Therefore, specific educational programmes such as life orientation are recommended to increase knowledge. Furthermore, high school students should be encouraged to make use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms safeguard against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among all age groups. The HIV transmission rate increases when condoms are not used properly. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge of condom use amongst high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students to assess their knowledge of condom use. A total of 346 eligible learners from various high schools in Shamavunga circuit of Limpopo were selected from grades 10-12 through systematic random sampling.
Material and methods:
Grade 12 students were comprised the majority of participants (37.3%, n = 129), followed by grade 11 at 35% and grade 10 at 27.7%. The group included more females than males.
Results:
A total of 307 (88.7%) students indicated that they had knowledge about the protection that condoms provide against HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), STIs, and pregnancy, whereas 39 (11.3%) students indicated insufficient knowledge. Furthermore, 91.3% of the learners reported that condoms cannot be used repeatedly, and 52% knew that condoms are available at no cost from clinics and hospital.
Conclusions:
The study found knowledge of condom use among high school students was evident, although some knowledge deficiencies were also noted including unrolling a condom before putting on the penis and using a condom with oil-based lubricant. Therefore, specific educational programmes such as life orientation are recommended to increase knowledge. Furthermore, high school students should be encouraged to make use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
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