Hiv Prevention Among University Students In Sudan

Sudanese university students are at high risk of contracting HIV despite the prevailing religious values and social norms prohibiting premarital sex. This thesis investigated the psychosocial determinants of two important behaviors (abstinence and consistent condom use) among this population. Using a behavioral change model and adopting a mixed research methodology, this thesis explored the students’ sexual behaviors and identified their most salient psychosocial determinants. It was concluded that a more comprehensive approach that respects the religious values and social norms favoring abstinence from sex until marriage, but also options for those unwilling to comply with these values and norms, is urgently needed. By contextualizing these behaviors and their determinants, the thesis informed the cultural adaptation of such an intervention to increase its effectiveness and facilitate its adoption and implementation. Besides, the thesis highlighted the need for tailoring the intervention to meet the different needs of male and female university students in Sudan

Psychosocial determinants of consistent condom use among university students in Sudan:findings from a study using the Integrated Change Model

Unprotected sex is common among university students in Sudan, thus increasing risks for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As little is known about the psychosocial determinants of consistent condom use among this population, this study was designed to identify them. The Integrated Change Model (ICM) was applied in a cross-sectional design to identify in 218 students (aged 18–25 years) from Khartoum which items distinguish condom users from non-condom users. Condom users differed significantly from non-condom users in having more HIV and condom use-related knowledge, higher perception of susceptibility to HIV, reporting more exposure to condom use cues, having a less negative attitude towards condom use (attitude cons), experiencing social support and norms favouring condom use and having higher condom use self-efficacy. Binary logistic regression showed that peer norms favouring condom use in addition to HIV-related knowledge, condom use cues, negative attitude and self-efficacy were the factors uniquely associated with consistent condom use among university students in Sudan. Interventions seeking to promote consistent condom use among sexually active students could benefit from increasing knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention, raising HIV-risk perception, using condom use cues, addressing perceived condom disadvantages and enhancing students` self-efficacy to avoid unprotected sex. Moreover, such interventions should raise students` perceptions of their peers` beliefs and behaviours favouring condom use and seek health care professionals` and religious scholars` support for condom use