Abstract:
This study examined factors that predispose adolescents to Human
Immunodeficiency Virus! Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromel Sexually
Transmitted Infections (HIV/AIDS/STIs) in the communities in and around the
University of Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana as a result of rising incidence of
HIV/AIDS/STIs reported cases in the University Hospital, particularly among
adolescents.
Using an exploratory cross-sectional study design, a probability sampling
method was used to select 450 adolescents in 9 out of 12 communities in the
study area. Using interview schedules, the data obtained from 435 available
respondents was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics using
the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS) and Excel programmes.
The findings revealed that knowledge gap on HIV/AIDS/STIs among
adolescents and some socio-cultural factors predisposed adolescents to
HIV/AIDS/STIs. The results also indicate that, in addition to wrong perception
about condom and its use, hard drug, multiple sexual partners and alcohol were
identified by the respondents as risky behaviours predisposing adolescents to
HIVIAIDS/STIs.
The researcher recommends that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the
Ministry of Health (MOH) should intensify campaigns and programmes targeting
adolescents on the factors that predispose adolescents to HIV/AIDS/STls. Also,
the Ghana Education Service (GES), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
and other stakeholders should provide adolescents with the necessary communication and other life skills to protect them from HIV/AIDS/STls. The
adolescents should avail themselves of information on HIV/AIDS/STls because
they form the pillars of the nation's future human resource base
