Changes in HIV/AIDS/STI knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among the youth in Port Loko, Sierra Leone

Abstract

Sierra Leone suffered from 11 years of civil war (1991–2002) resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and mutilations and massive population displacement. In 2001, ARC International, Sierra Leone, conducted a baseline survey of 244 female youth and 293 male youth on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours around HIV/AIDS and STIs in Port Loko. In 2003, following 2 years of HIV prevention activities, a comparable post-intervention survey of 250 female and 299 male youth was performed. Comparison of baseline and post-intervention results showed that HIV/AIDS knowledge increased dramatically among both groups, with those able to name three effective means of avoiding AIDS increasing from 4% to 36% among female youth, and 4% to 45% among male youth. Reported condom use at last sex increased among female youth from 16% to 46% and among male youth from 16% to 37%. These results demonstrate that, despite the challenges inherent in a post-conflict country, good quality AIDS prevention programmes can be successful.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• STI
• youth
• Sierra Leone
• post-conflict

Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation.

Notes

1. The ARC Health Team consisted of one Team Manager, four AIDS Prevention Officers, and one STI Prevention Officer, all possessing advanced degrees in health care.

2. Civil Defense Forces were local military groups who supported the government against the RUF.

3. A smaller number of female ex-combatants were selected due to the lower numbers of female combatants as compared to their male counterparts.

4. For a copy of the survey instrument, please contact the corresponding author.