Assertiveness and attitudes of HIV/AIDS orphaned girls towards education in Kampala (Uganda)

Whereas HIV/AIDS prevalence has been declining in Uganda from 30 to less than 10 in the last 2 decades; the number of HIV/AIDS orphaned girls in secondary schools is still high and girl children have tended to carry the heaviest burdens of family responsibilities thereby adversely affecting their assertiveness and attitudes towards education. Assertiveness is a critical life skill that enables a person to state an opinion; claim a right; or establish authority and it is important to improve attitude towards education. This study examined the relationship between assertiveness and attitude towards education of HIV/AIDS orphaned and non-orphaned adolescent school girls in Kampala. The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) Dominance (Do) Assertiveness Scale and the Attitude Scale were administered to 225 students consecutively selected from 6 secondary schools in Kampala. HIV/AIDS Orphaned girls had lower levels of assertiveness and most had a negative attitude towards education compared to non-orphaned girls. Girls orphaned to HIV/AIDS were less assertive compared to those orphaned by other causes. There was a positive relationship between assertiveness and attitude towards education among orphaned adolescent secondary school girls in Kampala. Girls orphaned to HIV/AIDS were less assertive compared to other school girls and have a poor attitude towards education

Knowledge and Misconceptions about HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) among the Post-Conflict Youths of Gulu; Northern Uganda. A Prospective Study Design

Background: Uganda has been reported as the most successful country in Africa in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS from 18 to 6.4 over the last two decades. There is evidence to suggest that despite a significant decline between 1992 and 2002; HIV prevalence has stagnated over the last 5-9 years at between 6.1 and 6.5 and it is rising in some parts of the country such as Gulu. This rise are thought to be due to the high levels of stigma and superstition preventing HIV counseling and testing (HCT). WHO reports in 2009 showed that only 20 of Uganda's populations knew their HIV sero-status. This study was designed to find out the knowledge; misconceptions; attitude and practices of youths of Gulu about HCT. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gulu; Pece among the youths 15 to 35 years. An in-depth interview using a questionnaire was administered to youths of Commercial Road Sub-ward. Informed consent and ethical approval was obtained and 86 respondents were interviewed. Results: Ninety three percent of respondents had knowledge about HCT and 97.7 were able to mention two or more of its benefits. Most (88.4) agreed on public disclosure of their HIV status and 84.9 would encourage others to undertake it. Only 36.1 of respondents had undertaken HCT while the rest had not undertaken it due to fear of stigmatization. Conclusion: There is adequate knowledge; good attitude but poor practice and misconceptions to HCT. The young adults in Gulu should be supported in a special program to enable them undertake HCT and access other services for HIV/AIDS prevention