Abstract
A questionnaire was administered to 1471 grades 8 to 12 Namibian students with a mean age of 18 years to determine their cognitive, attitudinal and behavioural risks that could promote HIV infection. Derived from the students' need for belonging, love, acceptance and sexual experience, several risks were identified. For instance, 50 percent of them were unaware of AIDS, 42 percent thought that some people were immune to AIDS, 48 percent reported that they would be rejected by their peers if they refused to have premarital sex, 47 percent indicated that mistrust was communicated when one used or suggested the use of a condom during sexual intercourse and 50 percent believed that alcohol facilitated communication with peers of the opposite sex. Chi-square, multi-variate ANOVA and multiple regression analyses revealed differences in the expression of the risks due to age, sex and region. For example, significantly more boys than girls and more students from Northern than from Central and Southern regions thought that mistrust was communicated by condom use, sexual intercourse provided popularity, proved sexual maturity, showed commitment to and maintained love relationships. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
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