ABSTRACT
Background: Namibia bears a large burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); and the youth are disproportionately affected. Objectives: To explore the current knowledge; attitudes and behaviour of female adolescents attending family planning to HIV prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used on a sample 251 unmarried female adolescents aged from 13 years to 19 years accessing primary care services for contraception using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using Epi Info 2002. Crude associations were assessed using cross-tabulations of knowledge; attitude and behaviour scores against demographic variables. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to assess associations from the cross-tabulations. All p-values 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A quarter of sexually active teenagers attending the family-planning services did not have adequate knowledge of HIV prevention strategies. Less than a quarter (23.9) always used a condom. Most respondents (83.3) started sexual intercourse when older than 16 years; but only 38.6used a condom at their sexual debut. The older the girls were at sexual debut; the more likely they were to use a condom for the event (8did so at age 13 years and 100at age 19 years). Conclusions: Knowledge of condom use as an HIV prevention strategy did not translate into consistent condom use. One alternate approach in family-planning facilities may be to encourage condom use as a dual protection method. Delayed onset of sexual activity and consistent use of condoms should be encouraged amongst schoolchildren; in the school setting