The association between social networks and self-rated risk of HIV infection among secondary school students in Moshi Municipality, Tanzania

Bibliographic Data

ID2177690
AuthorsElizabeth J Lyimo (Tumaini University, corresponding author), Jim Todd (0000-0001-5918-4914, University of London), Lisa Ann Richey (0000-0003-3116-2531, Roskilde University), Bernard Njau (0000-0002-7143-8400, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre)
Year2013
Volume10
Issue3-4
Pages131-139
Publication date2013-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAHARA-J Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1729-0376 • E-ISSN: 1813-4424
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17290376.2014.888676
PMID24641669
PMCIDPMC4039191
OpenAlexW2117026648
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited21

This study describes the social networks of secondary school students in Moshi Municipality, and their association with self-rated risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 300 students aged 15-24 years in 5 secondary schools in Moshi, Tanzania. Bonding networks were defined as social groupings of students participating in activities within the school, while bridging networks were groups that included students participating in social groupings from outside of the school environs. A structured questionnaire was used to ask about participation in bonding and bridging social networks and self-rated HIV risk behavior. More participants participated in bonding networks (72%) than in bridging networks (29%). Participation in bridging networks was greater among females (25%) than males (12%, p<.005). Of 300 participants, 88 (29%) were sexually experienced, and of these 62 (70%) considered themselves to be at low risk of HIV infection. Factors associated with self-rated risk of HIV included: type of school (p<.003), family structure (p<.008), being sexually experienced (p<.004), having had sex in the past three months (p<.009), having an extra sexual partner (p<.054) and non-condom use in last sexual intercourse (p<.001), but not the presence or type of social capital. The study found no association between bonding and bridging social networks on self-rated risk of HIV among study participants. However, sexually experienced participants rated themselves at low risk of HIV infection despite practicing unsafe sex. Efforts to raise adolescents' self-awareness of risk of HIV infection through life skills education and HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome risk reduction strategies may be beneficial to students in this at-risk group

Condom · Family medicine · Risk of infection · Social support · Tanzania · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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