Knowledge about HIV and AIDS among Young Women: Brief Overview

HIV and AIDS is a major health concern among women worldwide. It is important that women
especially youths are educated about HIV and AIDS because they represent a window of opportunity
for reversing HIV rates if effective prevention programs can reach them before they engage in risky
sexual behaviour. Women are more vulnerable to HIV infection than men and play a central role to the
concept of the family, to nurturing, protecting, and caring for the family. The aim of the study was to
explore HIV and AIDS knowledge among young women. A qualitative exploratory approach using
focus group discussions was used and content analysis was used to interpret the data. A total of 8
focus group discussions were conducted two study sites intervention and control site. The analysis
revealed 6 themes namely definition of HIV and AIDS, seriousness of HIV and AIDS in the
community, signs and symptoms, transmission of HIV, cure for HIV and AIDS and Prevention. The
findings showed that some participants had knowledge deficit on HIV and AIDS, therefore continued
community sensitisation is essential.