Repository logo
 

HIV prevalence among high school learners - opportunities for schools-based HIV testing programmes and sexual reproductive health services.

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKharsany, Ayesha Bibi Mahomed.
dc.contributor.authorMlotshwa, Mukelisiwe.
dc.contributor.authorFröhlich, Janet Ann.
dc.contributor.authorYende Zuma, Nonhlanhla.
dc.contributor.authorSamsunder, Natasha.
dc.contributor.authorAbdool Karim, Salim Safurdeen.
dc.contributor.authorAbdool Karim, Quarraisha.
dc.date.accessioned2012-11-23T07:36:53Z
dc.date.available2012-11-23T07:36:53Z
dc.date.created2011
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractBackground: Young girls in sub Saharan Africa are reported to have higher rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compared to boys in the same age group. Knowledge of HIV status amongst high schools learners provides an important gateway to prevention and treatment services. This study aimed at determining the HIV prevalence and explored the feasibility of HIV testing among high school learners. Methods: Between September 2010 and February 2011, a linked, anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in two public sector high schools in the rural KwaZulu-Natal midlands. Following written informed consent, dried blood spot samples (DBS) were collected and tested for HIV. The overall and age-specific HIV prevalence were compared with select demographic variables. Results: The HIV prevalence in learners aged 12 to 25 in school A was 4.7% (95% CI 2.8-6.5) compared to 2.5% (95% CI 1.6-3.5) in school B, (p = 0.04). Whilst the HIV prevalence was similar for boys at 1.3% (95% CI 0-2.8) in school A and 1.7% (95% CI 0.5-2.8) in school B, the prevalence in girls was consistently higher and was 7.7% (95% CI 4.5-10.9) in school A and 3.2% (95% CI 1.8-4.6) in school B. The age-specific HIV prevalence in girls increased 1.5 to 2 fold for each two year age category, while for boys the prevalence was stable across all age groups. Conclusions: The high HIV prevalence in female learners underscores the importance of sexual reproductive health and schools-based HIV testing programs as an important gateway to prevention and treatment services. Keywords: Young girls, HIV prevalence, surveillanceen
dc.identifier.citationKharsany, A.B.M. et al. 2012. HIV prevalence among high school learners - opportunities for schools-based HIV testing programmes and sexual reproductive health services. BMC Public Health. 12:231.en
dc.identifier.issn1471-2458
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-231en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10413/7958
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherBioMed Central.en
dc.subjectAIDS (Disease) in children.en
dc.subjectAIDS (Disease)--Testing.en
dc.subjectHIV infections--Prevention.en
dc.titleHIV prevalence among high school learners - opportunities for schools-based HIV testing programmes and sexual reproductive health services.en
dc.typePeer reviewed journal articleen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
kharsany_Ayesha_BM_2011.pdf
Size:
178.67 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Journal article
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.64 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Research papers (Caprisa)