AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #105 - Knowledge-behavior gap in condom use to prevent HIV infection: A case study of Ethiopian urban youth
Authors: Presenting Author: Ms. Blen Shoakena - University of Minnesota
Additional Authors: Mr. Marco Yzer,
Aim: Whereas HIV is a serious public health problem among all segments of the Ethiopian population, youth living in urban Ethiopian areas are at particular high risk for HIV infection. Youth make up a significant proportion of the general population with 45% of the population under 14 years old. In 2005, the HIV prevalence among urban 15-24 and 25-34 year olds was estimated at 9% and 11% respectively. HIV/AIDS accounts for 66% of deaths among 15-49 year-olds in urban areas. The predominant mode of HIV transmission in Ethiopia is heterosexual sex. Disconcertingly, national surveys show that despite knowledge of sex as an HIV transmission mode and of the effectiveness and availability of condoms, actual condom use among urban youth is uncommon. Building on behavioral theory this study proposed that the knowledge-behavior gap among urban Ethiopian youth can be explained by a lack of self-efficacy. Knowledge is a necessary construct for behavior change but in order for people to act on their knowledge they need to believe that they are able to perform the behavior, i.e., they need to have self-efficacy.
Method / Issue: Taking a multi-method approach this study first reviewed published research to determine levels of condom use self-efficacy among Ethiopian youth. Next, a content analysis of 162 Ethiopian print health communication materials was conducted to determine presence of condom use self-efficacy in extant media material.
Results / Comments: The review of studies confirmed low condom use self-efficacy among urban youth. Content analysis found that the of the 162 materials, only 33 had a clear self-efficacy or response efficacy messages available to youth.
Discussion: This study found low self-efficacy to be an explanation for the condom use knowledge-behavior gap among urban Ethiopian youth. In addition, health messages available to urban youth in Ethiopia incorporate very minimal self-efficacy messages. The study confirmed that knowledge is not enough to move people to behavior change. For health messages to be effective in increasing condom use behavior among this population, the salient predictors of condom use behavior identified using behavioral theory along with messages that increase condom use self-efficacy need to be incorporated into educational interventions. The grave HIV mortality statistics among Ethiopian youth indicate that this is not just an academic issue.
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