title: HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy among late adolescents in Nepal.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior in Nepalese late adolescents attending college. A convenience sample of 229 baccalaureate college students completed three instruments: demographic, HIV/AIDS knowledge questions and the self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior questions. The findings of this study showed that Nepalese youth had moderate HIV/AIDS knowledge and a moderate level of self-efficacy. However, they lacked knowledge in certain aspects of HIV transmission. HIV/AIDS knowledge was strongly correlated with self-efficacy for limiting sexual risk behavior. There was no statistical difference in HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy by gender. However, when each self-efficacy item was analyzed by gender, there were significant differences in a few items by gender. ANOVA analysis showed no significant differences on HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-efficacy by the level of education. The findings of this study indicate that there is a need for developing school-based and/or community-based programs that will increase HIV/AIDS awareness among youth and help them develop decision making and communication skills. It is also important to look at the school and college curricula and integrate more HIV/AIDS information in the curriculum.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. gmahat@rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Ganga
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mahat
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pradhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult