A Comparative Analysis of Reproductive Health Knowledge among HIV-positive and HIV-negative Youths in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study contributes to the understanding of how youths in Zimbabwe continue to face numerous barriers that hinder their ability to take protective actions against HIV. Previous research has shown that while comprehensive knowledge is improving among both HIV-positive and HIV negative youths in Zimbabwe, the proportions are low. A cross-sectional mixed-method research design was employed in the study. This study used a simple random sampling approach to select respondents. The general youth population was sampled from the general population, while Youths Living with HIV (YLHIV) were sampled from clinic records. This study was conducted in three provinces of Matabeleland South, Harare and Manicaland in Zimbabwe. The study demonstrated low levels of comprehensive knowledge of HIV (14%), with YLHIV more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV (19%), compared to HIV-negative youths (4%). The study findings show low levels of comprehensive knowledge of contraception (19%) among the youth, with YLHIV more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of contraception (22%), compared to HIV negative youths (15%). A logistic regression shows that marital status was a significant factor in comprehensive knowledge of HIV. Divorced youths were 10 times more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV as compared to those who were never married (OR=9.8; 95% CI [(1.9349.63)]). Logistic regression analysis by geographic location demonstrated that YLHIV from urban areas were six times more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV compared to youths from rural areas (OR=6.43; 95% CI [(2.71-15.28)]. The study recommends that information and services should be made available to youths to help them understand their sexuality.