Risky Sexual Behavior and Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among High School Students in Eastern Cape South Africa

摘要

This study examined the risky sexual behavior and knowledge of HIV/AIDS among high school students in Eastern Cape, South Africa. A sample of 450 students from grades 9 to 12 was selected through the random sampling technique. This study revealed that out of 420 students, 213 (50.7%) had been involved in sexual activities in the last 12 months. Relatively more than half (55.2%) of female students had sex before they attain the age of 18 years, 155 (72.8%) students were reported to have not used a condom during the first sexual intercourse, and 50 (32.3%) indicated that the sex was unplanned. Living status, family closeness, alcohol consumption and using drug-induced substances were observed as the main factors of risky practices of sexual behaviors among male and female students.