ABSTRACT Background: Good knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of HIV/AIDS prevention are essential in order not to acquire HIV infection and to prevent the disease from spreading. A proper and wellfunctioning prevention of HIV requires clear and relevant information and instruction from health care providers who have been trained in that field. Study objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV/AIDS prevention among first year diploma students doing clinical medicine at Kampala international university, western campus and compare these between the genders. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used, the data was presented in form of tables and graphs where descriptive statistics put in percentages for each response and the results were analyzed manually for accuracy of results. A sample of 138 students was drawn by use of simple random sampling but only 125 questionnaires were returned, as it was considered appropriate for the reason of increasing the accuracy of the findings and also for it to ensure high percentage xvi involvement by the subject. Students participated by answering a questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV/AIDS prevention among first year diploma students doing clinical medicine. Results: All the respondents responded with 100% response that they had ever had about HIV/AIDS although there was poor response of those who had heard about HIV/AIDS from church/mosque with 20% total response. As concerns the students’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS prevention13% still believe that students who are HIV positive should be removed from school. 24% responded that they abstain from sex, 10% responded that they use sterilized needles as HIV preventive measure and finally all the students had ever tested for AIDS, 40% once, 28% twice and 25% more than twice. Conclusion: All the students reported that they had received information on HIV/AIDS. There were significant differences in gender in several statements concerning knowledge, attitude and practices though the males’ participation was greater than that of the females. The male and female students in KIU-WC had different knowledge, attitudes and practice of HIV/AIDS prevention Recommendation: Peer Educators, parents, teachers/lecturers and Health care professionals should consider gender and religion when providing intervention programs to the student.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................i

DEDICATION................................................................................................................................. iii

ACKNOWLEDEMENT ...................................................................................................................iv

LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................ix

LIST OF FIGURES ...........................................................................................................................x

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS..........................................................................................................xiii

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................xv

CHAPTER ONE:...............................................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background ..............................................................................................................................1

1.2Problem statement .....................................................................................................................2

1.3 Study objectives........................................................................................................................3

1.3.1Broad objective.......................................................................................................................3

1.3.2 Specific objective...................................................................................................................3

1.4 Research question .....................................................................................................................4

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1.5 Significance of the study...........................................................................................................4

1.5.1 Significance to the academic body. ........................................................................................4

1.5.2 Significance to the community...............................................................................................4

1.6 Scope of the study.....................................................................................................................5

1.6.1 Geographical scope................................................................................................................5

1.6.2 Content scope ........................................................................................................................5

1.6.2 Time scope ............................................................................................................................5

1.7 Conceptual framework..............................................................................................................6

CHAPTER TWO ...............................................................................................................................7

LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................................7

2.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................7

2.1Knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention .........................................................................................7

2.2 Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS prevention...................................................................................8

2.3 Preventive practices................................................................................................................10

2.3.1 Abstinence ...........................................................................................................................10

2.3.2 Being faithful one sexual partner..........................................................................................10

2.3.3 Condom use .........................................................................................................................10

2.3.4 Safe Male circumcision (SMC) ............................................................................................10

2.3.5 Voluntary counseling and Testing. .......................................................................................11

CHAPTER THREE:.........................................................................................................................12

METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................................................12

3.0Introduction .............................................................................................................................12

3.1 Study Design ..........................................................................................................................12

3.2 Study area...............................................................................................................................12

3.3Study Population......................................................................................................................12

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3.4Sample Size determination.......................................................................................................12

3.5 Sampling Techniques..............................................................................................................13

3.6.0 Study variable ......................................................................................................................13

3.6.1 Independent variable ............................................................................................................13

3.6.2 Dependent variable ..............................................................................................................13

3.7.0 Inclusion and exclusion criteria ............................................................................................14

3.7.1 Inclusion Criteria .................................................................................................................14

3.7.2 Exclusion Criteria ................................................................................................................14

3.8 Data collection method ...........................................................................................................14

3.8.1 Data collection instrument ...................................................................................................14

3.8.2 Pre-test for the questionnaire................................................................................................14

3.8.3 Data collection procedure.....................................................................................................14

3.8.4 Reliability ............................................................................................................................14

3.9Data Analysis plan...................................................................................................................15

3.10Data Quality Control..............................................................................................................15

3.11 Data Presentation Methods....................................................................................................15

3.12 Ethical Consideration............................................................................................................15

CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................................16

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS...................................................................................16

4.0: Introduction ...........................................................................................................................16

4.1.1: Social demographic data of the respondents........................................................................16

4.2.0 Section 2: knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention ..............................................................19

4.3.0 SECTION C: ATTITUDES OF STUDENTS TOWARDS HIV/AIDS PREVENTION. .......24

4.4.0 SECTION 4: HIV/AIDS PREVENTIVE PRACTICES........................................................29

CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................................................34

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DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, WEAKNESS, STRENGTHS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................34

5.0 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................34

5.1 Discussion of the findings.......................................................................................................34

5.1.1 What is the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention among prevention among first year

diploma students doing clinical medicine? ....................................................................................34

5.1.2: What is the attitude of the students towards HIV/AIDS prevention?....................................36

5.1.3What are the various practices concerning HIV/AIDS prevention among first year diploma

students doing clinical medicine have? .........................................................................................39

5.2 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................40

5.2.1 Knowledge...........................................................................................................................40

5.2.2 Attitude................................................................................................................................40

5.2.3 Various sexual practices.......................................................................................................41

5.3.0 WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS ..................................................................................41

5.3.1 Weaknesses .........................................................................................................................41

5.3.2 Strengths..............................................................................................................................42

5.4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................................................42

5.4.1 To the academic body (students)..........................................................................................42

5.4.2 To the community................................................................................................................42

APPENDIX 1: REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………...…….46

APPENDIX 2: CONSENT FORM...................................................................................................46

APPENDIX 3: QUESTIONNNAIRE FOR RESPONDENTS ..........................................................47

APPENDIX 4: APPROVAL LETTER FOR DATA COLLECTION................................................52

APPENDIX 5: MAP OF BUSHENYI DISTRICT SHOWING KIU LOCATION ............................53