Associations between HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviours, and HIV serostatus among university students in South Africa
1
٣Department of Community Health Studies, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
2
١,٣Department of Environmental Health, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, Durban, South Africa
3
٢Department of Basic Medical Science, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A623
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Although HIV incidence among young people (15-24 years) in South Africa has declined in recent years, it remains a significant public health concern due to ongoing transmission and persistent social and structural risk factors (1). University students belonging to this at-risk age category, remain a priority population, as sexual risk behaviors continue despite widespread HIV awareness interventions (2, 3). Therefore, the study aimed to assess HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, and their association with HIV serostatus among university students in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
METHODS:
A case-control study using non-probability sampling was conducted across four higher education institutions. The sample population included 125 students living with HIV and 375 HIV-negative students. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires assessing socio-demographics, HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression modelling were performed to examine associations between HIV knowledge, behaviour, and HIV status. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
The sample consisted of 67% females and 32.7% males, with majority reporting being sexually active, receiving government educational funding and living in university residences. Poor HIV prevention knowledge was more common than poor HIV transmission knowledge (54.4% vs 21%). Sexual risk behaviors were frequent, including binge drinking (68.5%), inconsistent condom use (74%) and concurrent sexual partnerships (43.3%). Male students had higher odds of concurrent sexual partnerships and increased number of lifetime sexual partners (OR = 5.73 and OR = 4.66, respectively). Poor HIV prevention and transmission knowledge was associated with higher odds of HIV seropositivity (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.47–3.72 and OR = 4.79; 95% CI: 2.84–8.08). (4-6)
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite HIV awareness interventions, sexual risk behaviors and gaps in HIV knowledge persist among university students, highlighting their ongoing vulnerability to HIV. This underscores the urgent need for targeted and evidence-based interventions for students.
Although HIV incidence among young people (15-24 years) in South Africa has declined in recent years, it remains a significant public health concern due to ongoing transmission and persistent social and structural risk factors (1). University students belonging to this at-risk age category, remain a priority population, as sexual risk behaviors continue despite widespread HIV awareness interventions (2, 3). Therefore, the study aimed to assess HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, and their association with HIV serostatus among university students in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
METHODS:
A case-control study using non-probability sampling was conducted across four higher education institutions. The sample population included 125 students living with HIV and 375 HIV-negative students. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires assessing socio-demographics, HIV knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression modelling were performed to examine associations between HIV knowledge, behaviour, and HIV status. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
The sample consisted of 67% females and 32.7% males, with majority reporting being sexually active, receiving government educational funding and living in university residences. Poor HIV prevention knowledge was more common than poor HIV transmission knowledge (54.4% vs 21%). Sexual risk behaviors were frequent, including binge drinking (68.5%), inconsistent condom use (74%) and concurrent sexual partnerships (43.3%). Male students had higher odds of concurrent sexual partnerships and increased number of lifetime sexual partners (OR = 5.73 and OR = 4.66, respectively). Poor HIV prevention and transmission knowledge was associated with higher odds of HIV seropositivity (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.47–3.72 and OR = 4.79; 95% CI: 2.84–8.08). (4-6)
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite HIV awareness interventions, sexual risk behaviors and gaps in HIV knowledge persist among university students, highlighting their ongoing vulnerability to HIV. This underscores the urgent need for targeted and evidence-based interventions for students.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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