HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behavior among high school students in Solomon Islands

BACKGROUND: Increasing HIV cases in Pacific region has gained much attention since 1980s, when the first incident was diagnosed. For the past decade, the countries have provided HIV tests for their citizens. However, few statistic data and information on the attitude and behavior towards AIDS prevention are available.

PURPOSE: To investigate the knowledge, attitude and sexual behavior toward AIDS prevention among high school students in Solomon Islands.

METHODS: The survey was conducted in August, 2012. Total of 173 high school students, aged 15 to 22 years old, were randomly selected from St. Nicholas and St. Joseph high schools. Approximately 47% were female.

RESULTS: Approximately 76% of the participants indicated that they learned the knowledge about AIDS, and 79% understood what was called “safe sex”. While all participants knew the main route of HIV transmission is unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Another 49% of student didn't know the routes of injection drug usages or vertical transmission. About 27% (47) of the participants had sexual experiences, and 74 % (35) of them used condoms during intercourse. On average, the first time of sexual experience is at the age of 16.02 years old. The sources of the condoms were mainly from the local clinics. Nearly 80% of participants correctly identified some no-risk activities of HIV transmission, such as touching or embracing, but another 27% of students thought that sharing of toothbrushes or shaving razors was not the route of HIV transmission.

CONCLUSIONS: The clear understanding of HIV and AIDS among high school students in Solomon Islands is not accurate. In most schools, it is still lacking of associated curriculums and awareness of using condoms. The appropriate education resources need to be prompted to implement the practical use of condoms for AIDS prevention.