| |
 | | |
|
|
|
Developments:
A study I conducted last year with the Swiss Tropical Institute sheds further light on the low HIV infection rates in West Africa.
1,020 young people from the Upper East Region of Ghana took part in the study, which surveyed their attitudes to sex and HIV/AIDS and asked them about their sexual behaviour. Awareness of HIV/AIDS and of its main transmission channels was high, but 40% of respondents believed the virus could be contracted through kissing. Abstinence is seen as the key prevention method, perhaps reflecting the strength of the Church in Ghana. Condoms are less trusted, with a significant minority having negative perceptions of their safety.
Knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention is weaker among women in the survey than men. Ghanaian women aged 15-24 have much higher HIV infection rates than men of similar age, so it would appear important to ensure that AIDS education campaigns reach people of both sexes (please e-mail me for a full report of the survey).
|
| | | |