Determinants of high risk sexual behaviour leading to HIV /aids among youth in Kibaiia district, coast region

As long as numbers of youths infected with HIV/AIDS have increased all over the world and Tanzania, in particular, associated factors for the increase can help in designing the disease intervention. Data on 322 youths (males and females) aged between 15 and 24 who participated in the study to find out the determinants of high risk sexual behaviours were examined. In all, there were 65.2% males and 34.8% females. The majority were sexually active; about 69.9% had sexual intercourse at least once in their lifetime. Interestingly; more than ninety percent of youths knew the place where male condoms can be obtained although findings showed that condom use among youth is very low. Only 32.3% youths reported to use condom during the first act and 37% during the last act. The prevalence of multiple partnerships among youths was found to be high, 21.7% of the respondents acknowledge having more than one sexual partner in the last 12 months. Almost all respondents, (98.4%) had heard about HIV/AIDS. About 81.4% acknowledged that HIV/AIDS can be prevented. Almost two third (65.2%) mentioned condom as the method used to prevent transmission of the disease. Close to three quarter (74.8%) knew where to get HIV testing services but only a low proportion, (40.8%) had tested for the disease. Of those not yet tested when asked if they liked to test for HIV, only 38.2% were ready to do so. In logistic regression analysis, it was found that, age at first sex experience, number of sexual partners and condom use during the last sex were associated with increased odds of having high risk behaviour among youths. There is a need to educate youth on safer sex practices and risk of infections. \