Factors Contributing to Rising Hiv/ Aids Cases Among Youths Aged 15-25 Years in Kapkatet Ward, Bureti S

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has become a major public health concern, particularly among young people and it continues to be a significant public health challenge globally. According to UNAIDS (2020), there were approximately 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS globally in 2019. The study aimed to assess factors contributing to rising of HIV/AIDS cases among youths aged 15-25 years in Kapkatet ward, Bureti sub county, Kenya. This study adopted the cross-sectional study design. The area of the study was Kapkatet constituency ward. The study population comprised of 80 youths aged 15-25 years at Kapkatet Ward who met the inclusion criteria. Simple Random Sampling was adopted in this study. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive data were analyzed using percentages and frequency tables. Binary Logistic Regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between factors and outcome variables. All the study participants (100%) were aware of HIV/AIDS. 66.3% reported having only one sexual partner, while 33.8% reported having more than two. Regarding condom use, 55.0% reported using condoms, while 45.0% reported not using them. Majority of the study participants, 87.5% had ever been tested for HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the study participants who had been tested was 4.3%. The results showed that among participants aged 15-17, none were found to be HIV-positive. In the age group of 18-20, one participant (4.76%) tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Similarly, in the age groups of 21-23 and 24-25, one participant (3.70%) and one participant (12.50%) respectively were found to be HIV-positive. Female, two (6.25%) were found to be HIV-positive, while among male participants, one (2.08%) tested positive for HIV/AIDS. The p-value for gender was 0.013, indicating a statistically significant difference in HIV prevalence between females and males, with a higher prevalence observed among females. Age, gender and education level were statistically significant relationship between age and HIV The study findings indicate a high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the study participants, suggesting a general awareness of the disease and its impact. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding knowledge of transmission routes and symptoms. Efforts should be made to overcome these barriers and ensure the availability of accurate information and resources to promote safe sexual behaviors and prevent HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, addressing the complex interplay of cultural, social and educational factors is crucial for effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control