Assessing Condom Use and Views on HIV Counselling and Testing among TVET College Students in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Mimi Eve Teffo () and Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle
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Mimi Eve Teffo: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: South Africa’s population is predominantly young, presenting a powerful resource for the country. Despite this, adolescents and young people remain at the epicentre of the HIV epidemic, particularly adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). There are limited studies that investigate the views on HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) and condom use among adolescents and young people, and college students in particular, in South Africa. This cross-sectional study assessed condom use among college students and their views and opinions on HCT. Utilising an adapted questionnaire from the Australian Secondary students and the South African Sexual Health survey, the data from 396 students were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression performed using Stata IC version 16. The majority of the students ( n = 339, 85.8%) had a sexual partner at the time of the study. Our findings reveal a relatively high occurrence of condom use in the last sexual encounter ( n = 225, 60%) and high HCT uptake ( n = 50, 88.4%). Females were generally more comfortable regarding HIV services compared to their male counterparts. More than half, 54.6% vs. 36.0% were comfortable about testing, 34.0% vs. 48.3% felt very scared about testing for HIV, 3.6% vs. 10.1% reported that they were not ready to take an HIV test, 7.6% vs. 5.6% intended getting tested soon ( p = 0.0002). Condom use was significantly associated with the use of a condom during the first sexual encounter (aOR = 4.71, 95% CI: 2.14, 10.37) and knowing their partner’s HIV status (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.19–3.65). The HCT and condom promotion strategies implemented by Higher Health in TVET colleges is showing success and colleges in other parts of the region could emulate these best practices. Program developers should consider tailor-made combinations of prevention interventions that would appeal to both female and male college students to improve condom use and uptake of HIV testing services.

Keywords: condom use; HIV; HCT; sexual behaviour; young people; college students; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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