The African Star

Survey results contain key recommendations in fight against HIV/AIDS

Hana Ismail Muse

University of Hargeisa

Somaliland

A recent survey that I conducted showed that the following actions are important in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

1. Establish family life education, which includes education into the school primary and secondary school levels.

2. Establish youth friendly groups or centers (Club). These centers should be enabling to develop youth activities epically in the summer time.

3. Train a group or groups of youth to serve as a core PEER Educators from each major five regional town in Somaliland.

Questionnaires

[HIV/AIDS related to risk behavior]

My name is Hana Ismail Muse. I am student of Bachelor of Art Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Hargeisa, and I am presenting here survey questionnaire on HIV/AIDS related to the risk of behavior.

Questionnaires
Q1. Have you ever heard of a disease called HIV/AIDS? Yes NO
Q2. Do you think that a healthy looking person can be infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS? Yes NO
Q3. Do you know anyone who is infected with HIV or who has died of AIDS? Yes NO
Q4. Is there anything that a person can do to avoid getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS? Yes NO

Q5. Do you intend to make more changes in your life to reduce any risk in the Future? Yes NO
Q6. Do you believe and abide by the religious laws? Yes NO

Q7. In your Opinion, is it possible for the community to have common HIV test? Yes NO
Q8. Have you ever taken HIV test? Yes NO
Q9. Willingness to care for some one in the family who is HIV+. Yes NO
Q10. for Care support include: Provide counseling Wash bed sheets of infected person Clean & cover wounds of infected person
Q11. Do you Keep HIV+ in family? Yes NO
Q12. Percentage of response reporting correct ways to protection against HIV/AIDS: Avoid touching infected person Avoid mosquito bites Sharing food with infected person

Aim of our survey:

HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs) have become a serious problem, so our aim is focusing on to obtain baseline information STDs/HIV/AIDS in Somaliland, in order to develop effective and integrated strategies for prevention and control of the STDs/HIV/AIDS.

Methodology:

The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data was collected from 50 adult men and women including the youth. The data collected instruments were designed with the Somaliland culture in mind.

Appendix

The Schedule of the Survey

Variable table

Table Q1 variable

Knowledge about HIV Yes ___ No

Q1. Have you ever heard of a disease

Called HIV/AIDS?

78%

22%

Table Q2 variable

Knowledge about HIV Yes No

Q2. Do you think that a healthy

looking person can be infected with

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS?

30%

70%

Table Q3 variable

Knowledge about HIV Yes No

Q3. Do you know anyone who is

infected with HIV or who has died of

AIDS?

44%

56%

Table Q4 variable

Knowledge about HIV Yes No

Q4. Is there anything a person can

do to avoid getting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS?

80%

20%

Table Q5 variable

HIV risk perception

Yes

Q5. You intend to make more

Changes to reduce the risk of HIV?

54%

46%

Table Q6 variable

HIV risk perception Yes No

Q6. Do you conform to the religious

Laws?

Yes

62%

38%

Table Q7 variable

HIV Testing and opinion Yes No

Q7. Possible to opinions HIV

test in community

10

20%

80%

Table Q8variable

HIV Testing and opinion Yes No

Q8. Have you ever taken HIV test?

42%

58%

Table Q9 variable

Willingness to care Yes No

Q9. Willingness to care for some

on the family who is HIV+

18%

82%

Table Q10 variable

Willingness to care Yes No

Q10. Care support include:

Provide counseling

Wash bed sheets of infected person

Clean & cover wounds of infected

person

28%

72%

Table Q11 variable

Willingness to care Yes No

Q11. Keep HIV+ in family

30%

70%

Table Q12 variable

Q12. % of response reporting correct ways to protection against HIV/AIDS:

Yes

Avoid touching infected person

Avoid mosquito bites

Sharing food with infected person

66%

34%

Data analysis

Analytical model

HIV/AIDS risky behavior of our youth

This hypothetical relationship of my study models shows relationship between the independent variable (HIV/AIDS) and the dependent variable (risky behavior of our youth).

There are other factors must be considered that might effect the hypothetical relationship. These are education that a person gained; the location that the person lives in and his personality behaves toward many situations and if he/she confirms the religions enough to consider his/her limits.

Variables

Tables of analysis

In this analysis we will examine each variable separately and see how they are evenly or unevenly distributed across categories of each variable. I have also search for certain patterns in the distribution, to explain relationships.

Findings from each section are present separately.

Table Q1 variable (look at the appendix)

The Somalilander people have heard about HIV/AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. Knowledge levels are reasonable high across all target populations. So, Knowledge of HIV as a sexually transmitted disease is understood among 78% of the study population, except for 22% that do not know what HIV/AIDS and STDs are.

When you compare the two percentage across our targets, you see that the percentage of the group that heard about HIV/AIDS are three times higher than those who do not even know AIDS as a disease. So from here we can see that our population needs to know that HIV/AIDS is for real, which is a new killer disease causing a lot of worry all over and we have to wake up from our ignorance and make the Somaliland young people taking a big role for the fighting against HIV/AIDS.

Table Q2 variable (look at the appendix)

This table shows the distribution of our major dependent and independent variable. Nearly 30 percent of the male and female accept the idea which explains that a good, healthy looking person can be infected with HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. However, 70 percent of our groups do not believe that a good looking person can be infected. Comparing to the column proportions on each cell, there is a noticeable different between them, that is, the percentage which point difference is too big. This shows to us that Somaliland people see that a healthy looking person can not be infected with the virus at all, which is a completely wrong idea, because this person may seem to be healthy, but infact he may hide the virus inside him or herself, therefore that is where the real danger comes.

Table Q3 variable (look at the appendix)

In this table, I have asked, if they know anyone who is infected with HIV or who has died after getting AIDS, from the column we see that over 44 percent of my study group admitted that they know a person who had AIDS, but 56 percent do not know anyone with AIDS. So, this shows that the level acknowledgement HIV+ people in our community is very low. When we compared the percentages we had, there is a slight difference between them that maybe because of the people themselves as they did not welcome the idea of known or deal with HIV+. From here we can see that HIV/AIDS are still in denying stage and our country is at risk because of existence of the infection in the community and also the higher prevalence in our neighborhood countries.

Table Q4 variable (look at the appendix)

But in this table, when asked if there are anything that a person might be avoid getting HIV/AIDS. A great number of both male and female (80%) endorse that there are many ways to avoid the virus. On the other hand, 20 percent of our population do not know or manage any way to avoid the virus. We also, noticed the big difference between the percentages. This shows that the life skills of Somaliland people, has a big impact on their attitudes to avoid get the disease between them. Therefore, only you can avoid getting infected by change your behavior and advice your family, friends and relatives about this deadly disease.

Behavior is not changed by knowledge alone. Young people need skills, which may let them know what about the HIV/AIDS, in order to keep them safe.

Table Q5 variable (look at the appendix)

This table shows that 54 percent of male and female intend to make more changes in their life to reduce any chance to get the HIV That mean you can lower your risky infection by stop having casual sex in the first place, while 46 percent do not have noting to do. This means that our people really want to change from better to best as they appreciated their life.

Table Q6 variable (look at the appendix)

One’s risk of infection is a good determinant of the degree to which one considers the need to adapting good behavior and follows our religious which is a natural prevention; in this study the most frequently population 62% reported that they confirm their Islamic religious in their life but 38 percent unfortunately, they do not confirm it enough. From the two percentages we had, we can see that relatively high proportions of the study group of our Somaliland population obey their religion and that was what we can expect from a Muslim nation. HIV/AIDS is the problem for everyone in the community, but not just noy only those people, who already infected.

This means Somaliland people do not guard their religions strongly enough, and to take it as a mean to stop spreading HIV/AIDS. It is obvious; the problem of our youth is that young people feel that they have to experience sex, in order to develop normally and to be acceptable by their friends. But the reality is, that you do not need to experience such a sex, while you still young. The longer you wait time of your marriage the better. To attract and trying to get the attention of the opposite sex is just a normal issue. But you have to wait, till you get married, otherwise you will increase your risk of getting infected with HIV. Only you, can make the right decisions for yourself.

Table Q7 variable (look at the appendix)

In the same time most of 80% out of 20% do not agree with the possible that to opinion test in their community. We can say that, you can have your blood tested for HIV by going to your doctor, to a clinic or to a hospital. Hargeisa Group Hospital and TB Hospital provide the needed test to all people in Somaliland.

Table Q8 variable (look at the appendix)

Wide variation exists between the study groups with respect to the population able to obtain testing services. The findings show that less than 42% of both men and women in the general population take a HIV test, but a 58% of these populations do not think about HIV Test. As it is obvious to us, the only way that you can know if you have HIV in your body is by having your blood tested for HIV.

I think that everyone has a responsibility when it comes to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. Those who are already infected should be responsible and know that they are a risky to transfer the disease to the people.
And the people who are not infected should always be aware that the disease is out there and that it is easily spread. They should get tested if they ever suspect that they are infected

Table Q9 variable (look at the appendix)

In general, Somalilander population appears to me does not tolerant to person who is already infected. More than 82% out of 18% of men and women reported that they do not give any care for a person with the virus. Therefore, all the PLWA (people live with AIDS) feel sad and poor so you have to confront this illness and make your attitude positive by helping them.

As PLWA have the choice between denials and despair, many choose denial as all the community refuses them. Be patient and understanding of their varied and changing feelings, and always remember that you are the only hope for wellness and relief of pain.

Table Q10 variable (look at the appendix)

when we asked, what the care of infected person included, the 7 population out of 22 agree with provide counseling with the HIV person and 2 out of 11 of our target admitted that there care include wash bed sheets of infected person but 5 out of 3 say that they clean and cover wounds of infected persons. Comparing the column we can see most somalilander population 72 percent do not prefer take care of HIV+ at all, on the other hand 28 percent give all care that the infected person will need.

Table Q11 variable (look at the appendix)

And most of 70% of the population out of 30% agree that they do not keep the HIV infected person with the family. But that a mistake, instead of give them the “death mentality”, we need to make them focus on their life’s that is still ahead to them.

And it is possible for individual with HIV to live normal lives for many years after the first infected.

Table Q12 variable (look at the appendix)

in this table, our population ways of protected themselves against AIDS include avoid touching HIV+ person 9 out of 6 of our target admitted that but 13 out of 9 avoid mosquito bites and 11 out of 2 agreed with sharing the food with infected person. From here we can see that Myths about modes of HIV transmission still linger in Somaliland. Many people still believe misquotes can transmit HIV also other incorrect modes of HIV transmission include touching or sharing a person with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, people must know that they cannot get infected by having casual contact with the body of infected person because HIV does not pass from one person to another in food. It is safe to eat food that was prepared by an infected person or even sharing the food with them.

Discussion

A logical way to end this research is providing a brief discussion of the major finding of the survey.

I am sure that we do need each other in this world today. You might think that you can handle things on your own but as the saying goes “no man is an island". With AIDS become so rampant into the world today, we need all the help we can get from everyone even strangers. I believe that strangers are friends as long as we are all in one world.

So take a deep breath and look at your life. What changes are happening within and around you? You are becoming a man or women and many things are changing- your body, your friends, your relationship to your parents, and your understanding of sex. You have the opportunity to live your story with joy and anticipation for wonderful things that will come in the future. Let me take a final advice at how this can happen.

Your body is wonderful- protect it and save it. As your body changes, your life changes and your responsibilities and challenges are far greater.
Your friends may help or harm you. Choose them carefully.
You are a sexual person. God made you that way and it is his wonderful gift to each man and woman. Take care of that gift and save it for the man or woman you will marry.
Sex can be harmful when God’s boundaries for sex are not followed and you have to respect it.
AIDS is a disease most people get through sex. You can avoid AIDS by waiting to have sex until you are married and staying faithful to your marriage partner.

And you have to know that when HIV enters the body, the persons is HIV positive, many people do not feel ill at all when they are first infected.

They may have no symptoms because they have not yet got AIDS which means HIV acts by destroying the immune system. Anybody who gets AIDS dies from few months to few years but at the end he/she will die.

Instead of the many AIDS awareness campaigns that still running in Somaliland which is the most effective activities to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, more than two third of the survey population could not state that a health looking person can be infected and more than half do know any infected person.

And still many people worry about getting HIV through the casual contact. Parents may stop a nine-years-old child with HIV from going to school because they thought their children could get HIV in school. We know there is no risk to children who go to school with another child who has HIV; but whenever a new disease is found, fear and a lack of information will cause some people to have false ideas about the disease.

Despite the high proportion of people who know about HIV/AIDS, knowledge of modes of HIV/AIDS transmission and methods of prevention remain surprisingly very low.

Volume 4

The African Star

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