ABSTRACT
Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV/AIDS than any other region in the World. Half of all new HIV infections occur in young people. Identifcation of the associated factors is likely to be useful in designing effective interventions. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the determinants of high-risk sexual behaviours among youths in Kibaha District; Tanzania. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The survey gathered data pertaining to the sexual healthy behaviours among youths; including condom use; number of sexual partners; age at first sexual involvement and knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. A total of 322 individuals aged 15-24 years were involved in the study. More than 69had sex at least once in their life time. Only about one-third (32.3) of the youths reported to have used condom during the first sexual intercourse and 37during the last sex. About 21.7of the respondents acknowledged having more than one sexual partner in the last 12 months. The majority (98.4) of the respondents have heard of HIV/AIDS. About three quarters (74.8) of the respondents knew where to get HIV testing services but only a small proportion (28.9) had tested for HIV infection. Of those not yet tested; 38.2admitted that they were ready to do so. Although 317 (98.4) respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS; and majority; 65.2mentioned condom as the method used to prevent its transmission; only 117 (36.3) acknowledged using them. In conclusion; despite good knowledge on transmission of HIV among youths in Kibaha district; only a small proportion of them practices safe sex. Education programmes on safe sex practices should be strengthened to provide skills that could be effective in changing and maintaining safe sex behaviours among youths in Tanzania
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV Infections , Knowledge , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
Directly Observed Treatment Short course strategy (DOTS) has proved to have potential improvement in tuberculosis (TB) control in Tanzania. The objective of this cross sectional study was to assess the capacity of health facilities in implementing DOTS; in Arumeru and Karatu districts; Tanzania. Information sought included the capacity to offer TB service and availability of quali?ed staff and equipment for TB diagnosis. Information on availability and utilization of TB registers and treatment outcome for the year 2004 were also collected. A total of 111 health facilities were surveyed; 86 (77.5) in Arumeru and 25 (22.5) in Karatu. Only 23.4(26/111) facilities were offering TB treatment services in the two districts. Majority 17/26 (65.38) of them were government owned. Thirty eight (44.7) facilities were offering TB laboratory services. All facilities with TB services (TB laboratory investigation and treatment) had TB registers. Seventy two (85.0) of health facilities which do not provide any TB services had qualifed clinical offcers and at least a microscopy. Of the 339 cases notified in Arumeru in 2004; 187 (60.7) had treatment outcome available; 124 (66.3) were cured and 55 (29.4) completed treatment. In Karatu 638 cases were noti?ed in 2004; 305 (47.8) had treatment outcome available; 68 (22.3) cured and 165 (54.1) completed treatment. In conclusion; the overall capacity for implementing DOTS among the facilities surveyed is found only in about 20and 30for clinical and laboratory components of DOTS; respectively. The capacity to provide TB diagnosis and treatment in Karatu district was relatively lower than Arumeru. It is important that capacity of the facilities is strengthened concurrently with the planned introduction of community-based DOTS in Tanzania