Abstract:

The adult population (15-49 years) are the most productive and yet the most vulnerable to HIV infections in Ghana. A phenomenon that threatens the socio-economic growth of the country and the survival of its people. Poor knowledge, ill-informed attitudes, and risky lifestyles are the key factors that hinder the prevention of HIV spread among adults. The study’s aim was to explore knowledge, attitudes, and risky behaviours among adults which hinder the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Ghana. A case-control study of 362 adults was conducted in the Ahafo and Northern regions of Ghana in 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were significant at 1% and 5%. Results indicated that the majority of adults in Ghana are sexually active with limited education but high knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The study revealed significant levels of association between HIV infections and age, sex, marital status, sex with multiple partners, use of the condom, sex for money, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol or drug abuse, personal income, access to places where sex is traded, and migration. The study concludes that both cases and controls generally had good knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS but show poor attitudes towards PLHIV and also engaged in risky behaviours that might predispose others to HIV infections. Findings also highlight the need for culturally adaptive and age-specific HIV education for adults across all regions. Identified misconceptions on HIV/AIDS, poor attitudes of adults towards PLHIV, and risky behaviours of adults regarding HIV/AIDS need specific and targeted education towards behavioural change.

References:

[1] WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2017). Towards Universal Access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector. April. Geneva, WHO.

[2] UNAIDS (2019). Global AIDS Update: Communities at the Centre; July 2019. UNAIDS. AIDS info website; accessed September 2019, available at: http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/. UNAIDS. Fact sheet; September 2019.

[3] Wilson C. N., and Sathiyasusuman, A. (2015). Associated Risk Factors of STIs and Multiple Sexual Relationships among Youths in Malawi. Plus, One Journal. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134286.

[4] Ghana National AIDS Control Programme Annual Report, 2019 accessed December 2020, available at:

https://ghanaids.gov.gh/mcadmin/Uploads/NACP%20Annual%20Report%2019_Final.pdf.

[5] Ghana National AIDS Commission, Annual report, 2018, p.1-5, accessed September 2019, available at:

https://ghanaids.gov.gh/mcadmin/Uploads/nationalHIVandAIDSPolicy.pdf.

[6] UNAIDS. 2019 Global AIDS Update: Communities at the Centre; July 2019. UNAIDS. AIDS info website; accessed September 2019, available at: http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/ UNAIDS. Fact sheet; September 2019.

[7] Ghana National AIDS Control Programme Annual Report, 2018: Ghana Health Service, December 2019.

[8] Ghana Health Service, 2019. Ghana National Sentinel Surveillance Report, 2019. Ghana Health Service. Accessed at

https://ghanaids.gov.gh/mcadmin/Uploads/HSS%202019%20Report%2027-08-2020.pdf.

[9] Arya, M., Viswanath, K., 2013). Effect of Media Use on HIV/AIDS-Related Knowledge and Condom Use in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS ONE 8(7): e68359.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068359.

[10] Ankomah, A., Ganle, J. K., Lartey, M. Y., Kwara, A., Nortey, P. A., Okyerefo, M. P. K., & Laar, A. K. (2016). ART access-related barriers faced by HIV-positive persons linked to care in southern Ghana: a mixed method study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 16(1), 738.

[11] Buor, D., (2000b). Help Break Taboos on Sexuality. Ghana News Agency. General News of Monday, 18 September. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Help-break-taboos-on-sexuality-Lecturer-11252

[12] Agyemang, S., (2009). Addressing HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Ejura Sekyedumase District: a study of knowledge, attitudes and sexual behavior among unmarried 15–24-year-olds. KNUSTSpace. handle/123456789/609.  http://dspace.knust.edu.gh/handle/123456789/609

[13] Odoi-Agyarko, K. (2004). Socio-cultural Factors and Determinants Affecting Sexual Behaviour among the Youth in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Paper Presented at the National HIV/AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON) held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, February 11-13.