Youth and the Global HIV/Aids Crisis: Impact of Knowledge and Attitude Towards Sexual Behavior

Abstract

About 34 million people in the world are living with HIV. The Philippines is one of nine countries where HIV infections have increased by 25% per year from 2001-2011 (UNAIDS, 2012). According to the DOH, as of January 2013, 12,082 are living with HIV in the Philippines and the number of young persons have a significant contribution to the statistics. This study was conducted to determine the impact of knowledge and attitude on HIV/AIDS to the sexual behaviors of students in the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. The 400 respondents, ages 15-24, were assessed regarding their knowledge and attitude on HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior. The results showed that majority of the respondents had an average level of knowledge on HIV (48.5%). On attitude, majority (68.2%) were neutral towards HIV/AIDS. On sexual behavior, 69 students had engaged in sex. Results further indicated that the type of sexual relationship and the college was significant towards the level of knowledge on HIV AIDS. The age, type of sexual relationship and year level had a significant relationship towards attitude on HIV/AIDS. There was also significant relationship on age, gender, relationship status, and type of sexual relationship, year level, income and the student's daily allowance that affected sexual relations.  However, knowledge and attitude had no bearing on the sexual behavior, therefore, based on the findings, it is highly recommended to incorporate and strengthen moral values in Sexual Education especially to males, homosexuals/bisexuals, ages 15-24, and senior college students with higher economic status to prevent increasing HIV/AID§ incidence in the Philippines.