HIV RISK BEHAVIOURS AND THEIR COVARIATES: SURVEY FINDINGS FROM ADOLESCENTS ENROLLED IN ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN PROGRAM IN NIMULE PERI-URBAN TOWN, SOUTH SUDAN (Preprint)

Abstract

While a greater focus has been put on risk communication by providing accurate information on HIV prevention, adolescents continue to remain at a disproportionally high risk of HIV infection. If unabated, this will slow down progress towards ending HIV and AIDS by 2030. This study aimed to assess self-reported HIV risk behaviours and their associated socio-demographic factors among adolescents in Nimule peri-urban town in South Sudan.

To assess the associations between self-reported behavioural risks and associated sociodemographic factors

We designed and undertook a before and after survey for adolescents aged 10-17 years enrolled on the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program in Nimule town where they received peer-led HIV risk education delivered in Health clubs. Using a standardized survey questionnaire, we collected data between December 2020 and December 2022 on socio-demographics and self-reported HIV risk behaviours. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed using STATA version 16 to assess the associations between self-reported behavioural risks and associated sociodemographic factors. Consent to minors ( 10-14) and (15-17) was granted by their caregivers and MoH

Of the 577 adolescents enrolled, 301 (54.0%) were female and 256 (46.0%) were males. The median age was 14 (IQR: 11-16) years at baseline and 15(IQR: 12-17) years at end-line. A slight decrease from 89 (16.0%) to 88 (15.8%) was observed between baseline and end-line in the proportion of adolescents who self-reported that they have never had sex in their lifetime with a corresponding increase from 58 (64.4%) at baseline to 70 (78.6%) at the end line in the proportion of adolescents self-reporting having used condoms in their last sex. At the end-line survey, the odds of self-reported HIV risks were 23% lower (aOR 0.77, 95% CI:0.73-0.80, p<0.001). Equally, higher odds of self-reported risks were observed among male adolescents (aOR 1.11, 95% CI:1.06-1.15, p<0.001), those aged 15-17 (aOR 1.27, 95% CI:1.21-1.34, p<0.001), unemployed (aOR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.21-1.34, p<0.001) and those cared for by non-parents (aOR 1.29, 95% CI:1.21-1.36, p<0.001)

The reduction in the self-reported HIV risk behaviours observed in this study suggests the potential of the OVC program in advancing HIV prevention by empowering adolescents with the knowledge to recognise and mitigate their risk of HIV infections. We therefore recommend the integration and sustaining OVC program as a platform for delivering HIV information to adolescents