Understanding The Combined Effects Of The Knowledge Of HIV/AIDS Prevention Methods On Condom Use: A Case Of Njombe And Tanga Regions Of Mainland Tanzania

AIM: This study assesses how the combined effects of knowledge of the HIV/AIDS prevention methods (ie, abstinence (A), being faithful (B), condom use (C), and diagnosis or testing (D)) influence behavioral change in terms of condom use. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a household survey conducted in 2017 in the Tanga and Njombe Regions of Tanzania through a structured questionnaire. The dependent variable was condom use during the last sexual intercourse. The main independent variable was knowledge of HIV prevention methods, referred to in this study as “knowledge of ABCD of HIV/AIDS prevention”. A respondent with knowledge of three or more of the ABCD was classified as having good knowledge of HIV prevention. Those with knowledge of two, one, or none of the ABCD were classified as having average, fair, and poor knowledge of HIV prevention methods, respectively. Data analysis included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study included 660 respondents aged 15–64 years. RESULTS: The study indicates that the majority (52.2%) of the respondents had average knowledge of the HIV prevention methods. That is, they were knowledgeable of any two of the A, B, C, and D of HIV prevention methods. Condom use during the last sexual intercourse was reported by 46.5% of respondents. Multivariate analysis showed that condom use was 1.48-times more likely among respondents with good knowledge of ABCD of HIV/AIDS prevention than those with poor knowledge. CONCLUSION: The predictive effect of knowledge of the HIV prevention methods on condom use was more visible when assessed in combination than when treated at A, B, C, and D in isolation. This suggests that successful behavioral change towards HIV/AIDS aversion requires dedicated efforts that promote comprehensive knowledge of all the methods through which the epidemic can be transmitted.