HIV infection among secondary school students in Djibouti, horn of Africa: knowledge, exposure and prevalence.
A study of HIV infection among secondary school students was conducted in Djibouti in February 1990 during a national hepatitis survey. Serology was negative for HIV and syphilis among 294 students (ages 14 to 20 years) in spite of a dramatic increase of HIV seropositivity (as high as 41%), and a high level of syphilis positive serology (up to 46%) among adult high-risk groups such as street prostitutes. Results of a face-to-face interview of these pupils indicated that 64% had a basic knowledge of AIDS. As expected, a much better knowledge of AIDS was found among those who recently received AIDS education. However, 80% of secondary school teenagers did not consider themselves at risk for acquiring HIV. Transmission of HIV among school-children would be possible through sexual activity (22% stated to be sexually active) or parenteral therapy (75% had received at least one intramuscular injection), and not likely through blood transfusion or intravenous drug abuse. Results, close to those of a similar study in Zimbabwe, suggest that AIDS education programme should be given to all secondary school pupils and include public health lectures on syphilis, tuberculosis, and HIV infection.
Rodier
G R
GR
Epidemiology Branch, US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU-3), FPO AE 09835-0007.
Morand
J J
JJ
Olson
J S
JS
Watts
D M
DM
Said-Salah
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015730:Djibouti / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires