Recent Trends in HIV-Related Knowledge and ... - Measure DHS

ABSTRACTThe 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey shows that 3 percent of Rwandan adults age15-49 have been infected with HIV. The prevalence was much higher in urban areas, among women, andamong adults who had multiple lifetime sexual partners and used a condom at last sexual intercourse. Thelevel of and differences in HIV prevalence in Rwanda in 2010 are very similar to those observed in 2005.Using data from the two recent Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys, implemented in 2005 and2010, this study examined changes in key HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behaviorindicators. Significant changes in selected indicators during 2005 and 2010 were determined by Student t-test with p-values less than 0.05.The study revealed that there is some improvement in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes,and sexual behavior, indicating that HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Rwanda are in fact having thedesirable effects. Knowledge of using condoms as an HIV prevention method has increased in recentyears. At the same time there has been a considerable increase in condom use during last sex and duringlast non-spousal sex; nevertheless, the level of condom use has remained low. There has also been anincrease in the proportion of men and women who know that HIV can be transmitted from mother tochild, and that transmission can be reduced increased significantly.The initiation of sexual debut of youth under age 15 remained low, and declined among men. Theproportion of young adults practicing sexual abstinence (six out of ten) remained unchanged. However,there has been some deterioration in other indicators, such as an increase in the proportion of adults withmultiple sex partners, the proportion of men who ever paid for sex, and the proportion of adults with STIsand STI symptoms. Changes in HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behavior indicators inRwanda between 2005 and 2010 are bidirectional. They indicate a need for intensified efforts from HIVprograms to target certain sexual behaviors.xi