Knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS among high school girls in Ghana

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of the study respondents

	N	%
Age group
16–19	183	70.4
12–15	43	16.5
Above 19	34	13.1
Year of study
1st year	65	25
2nd year	65	25
3rd year	65	25
4th year	65	25
Program studied
Science	61	23.5
General arts	68	26.2
Business	57	21.9
Visual arts	74	28.4

Table 2 A summary of findings on HIV/AIDS knowledge and practice among high school girls in Ghana

Question	Agree (%)	Disagree (%)	Not sure (%)
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus	73.3	23.3	3.3
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome	96.7	3.3	0
HIV is a virus that replicates in the body and can develop into AIDS	96.7	3.3	0
HIV virus can potentially live in the human body for years (sometimes 10 to 15 years) before it is noticed or develops into AIDS	76.7	10	13.3
Although symptoms may not be present in an infected person, the virus is still transmittable	63.3	20	16.7
HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk	90	3.3	6.7
Having sex with someone who is HIV infected and not using a barrier (ie, condom, oral dam, etc) can transmit HIV/AIDS	96.7	3.3	0
Sharing unsterilized instruments/personal items like toothbrushes with someone who is HIV in fected can transmit HIV/AIDS	100	0	0
HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusion	83.3	3.3	13.3
HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child at birth or through breastfeeding	96.7	0	3.3
Witchcraft and other spiritual factors can cause HIV/AIDS	16.7	70	13.3
A scientifically proven cure exists for HIV/AIDS	16.7	50	33.3
HIV/AIDS can be cured with herbal medicine	13.3	56.7	30
You can tell by looking at a person whether they are HIV+	16.7	66.6	16.7
A, B and C of HIV/AIDS prevention helps reduce the risk of infection	66.7	13.3	20
Abstinence is the best way of preventing HIV/AIDS	96.7	0	3.3
Knowing your HIV/AIDS status can help prevent HIV/AIDS	73.3	10	16.7
I have taken an HIV test recently/I know my status	13	77	10
I will readily use a condom during sexual intercourse	35	51	14