title: Knowledge of and perceptions about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy: a qualitative study among adolescent students in Uganda.
abstract: This article reports the findings of a qualitative research study carried out in Kabarole district, western Uganda. Knowledge of and perceptions about HIV/AIDS and pregnancy and how both relate to one another were elucidated from eight focus-group discussions with 38 female and 32 male secondary students from four different schools. Widespread misinformation and misconceptions about contraceptives still exist as previously found in this area. There was a serious gap in knowledge and understanding of 'dual protection' against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and against pregnancy. Fertility was very highly valued, and many girls stated that they would want a child even if they were HIV-positive. Responses of girls showed that they were quite assertive in making decisions to use contraceptives. The reasons for students not being able to understand the interconnectedness of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy may lie in the fragmented fashion in which relevant health education is delivered through two separate programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chacko
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kipp
authors.forename: Lory
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kabagambe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000523:psychology*; D012098:Reproduction; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda