Assessment Of Effectiveness Of The Different Iec Interventions In Improving Awareness And Reducing Stigma Related To Hivaids Among High School Adolescents In Awassa Southern Ethiopia

Background: Stigma and discrimination are common human reactions to disease. HIV/AIDS relatedrnstigma and discrimination negatively affect preventive behaviors, HIV test-seeking behavior, and careseekingrnbehavior, quality of care and perception of PLWHA by communities, families, and partners.rnObjective: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HIV/AIDS related misconceptions andrnstigma in adolescents and determine the effectiveness of different IEC interventions in reducing thernHIV/AIDS related stigma and to ascertain long-term effects of the IEC interventions.rnMaterials and Methods: Interventional study was employed from January to March 2007 on thernadolescents of the four high school students using four different IEC Interventions, namelyrninterpersonal communication, pamphlets, educational video and the combination of the threernInterventions. Immediate post intervention and follow up assessments for misconceptions andrnstigmatizing attitudes were carried out.rnResult: Misconceptions on HIV transmission/prevention were 0-52.3%. Stigmatizing attitudes rangedrnfrom 0-65.2%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed Grade, Religion, beliefs in HIVrntransmission by witchcraft and HIV transmission by feeding on uncooked egg/meat of chicken thatrnswallowed used condom were significantly associated with avoidant behavioral intentions, AOR,rn2.23(95% CI 1.2-4.1), AOR, 0.43 (95% CI, 0.22-0.82), AOR, 0.22(95%CI, 0.06-0.77), AOR, 3.5,rn(95%CI, 1.4-8.8) and AOR, 2.1(95% CI, 1.1-3.9) respectively. Regarding beliefs in HIVrntransmission/prevention, variables like coughing/sneezing, feeding on raw egg of a chicken thatrnswallowed used condom and practicing sex with virgin girls were found to be statistically significantlyrnassociated with blaming attitude AOR, 4.8(95% CI, 1.5-15.4), AOR, 2.7(95% CI 1.5-4.9) and AOR,rn3.8(95% CI, 1.1-13.4) respectively. Residence, fathers’ education, Television ownership, transmissionrnby witchcraft, healthy looking person can have HIV, HIV prevention by having sex with virgin girlsrnand PLWHA had multiple sexual partners were found to be determinants of coercive attitude AOR,rn0.2(95% CI 0.05-0.80) AOR, 6.4(95% CI, 1.02-40.42), AOR, 5.9(95% CI, 1.0-34.6), AOR, 12.9(95%rnCI 2.8-58.4), AOR, 6.1 (95% CI, 1.7-22.0), AOR, 22.3(95% CI, 5.1-97.1)and AOR, 2.9(95% CI, 1.02-rn8.45) respectively. Mothers’ education and HIV transmission by eating with PLWHA were also foundrnto be determinants of the negative sympathetic feelings to PLWHA AOR, 2.1 (95% CI, 1.10-4.14) andrnAOR, 2.75(95% CI, 1.04-7.30) respectively. IEC interventions were effective in reducing HIV stigmarnand discrimination. ANOVA (F statistics) revealed that the interventions were effective, ANOVA,rn17.484 (p-value

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