title: Condom perception and prevention of HIV/AIDS infection in Cameroon: appraisal of knowledge, attitudes and practices among level one students of the University of Dschang.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the decreasing HIV epidemiology in Cameroon (5.5% in 2004 to 4.3% in 2011), HIV/AIDS remains a major public health concern, affecting mostly the sexually active population, among which the young University students represent an important target. Since sexual intercourses represent about 90% of HIV transmission, understanding the sexual behaviors of youth could relevantly optimize the design of HIV prevention strategies, through updated and adapted communication strategies for healthy sexual behavioral changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2010, among 518 newly registered students in the various faculties of the University of Dschang, Cameroon. In order to evaluate Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) toward HIV/AIDS prevention among the study participants, a structured questionnaire was administered to each participant, on the basic knowledge about HIV/AIDS and condoms. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info version 3.5.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants was 20 years, with a slight female predominance (52%). 98.6% of students voted familiar with the theme "condom", with 88.9% giving a satisfactory definition. However, 41.1% do not know the appropriate transmission route of HIV, while 5.4% do not master the correct use of condom; with up to 75.7% being aware of the female condom existence. Although 97.8% of students consider the proper use of condoms as an effective HIV preventive tool, up to 34.5% of them fail to use condoms during sexual intercourses and 69% were not in favor of the use of female condom, mainly due to a decreasing sexual pleasure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the existing sensitization campaigns, the perception of condoms is still very poor among young Cameroonian academics; with the non-systematic use of condoms being the major setback. The lack of familiarity to female condom, both among female and male, would also be a contributing drawback. These major sexual behavioral risk factors to HIV infection appear as key points to address during the campaigns to ensure owning of healthy sexual habits, a leading component to reduce HIV incidence among young Cameroonian/Africans.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon. martinsobze@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobze Sanou
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fokam
authors.forename: Raoul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guetiya Wadoum
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: James-Francis
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Onohiol
authors.forename: Dongho Bruna
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Djeunang
authors.forename: Pete Patrick
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Nkamedjie
authors.forename: Ngoufack François
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Zambou
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zefack
authors.forename: Allessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galletta
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arduini
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franca
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panà
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colizzi
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult