Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang; Virginio Pietra

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Virginio Pietra

Published in International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 22 May 2015 Accepted: 31 May 2015 Published: 15 June 2015

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Abstract

In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.

Published in	International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12
Page(s)	8-13
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Unprotected Sexual Intercourse, Multiple Sexual Partners, Poverty, Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), Female Adolescents, Cameroon

References

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[6]	L. Nussbaum, National AIDS housing coalition. Housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, Cameroon, 2010.
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[11]	M. K. Hattori, and L. DeRose, Young women’s perceived ability to refuse sex in Urban Cameroon, Studies in Family Planning, vol. 39(4), pp. 309-320, 2008.
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[18]	V. Mohapeloa, ‘Multiple sex partners driving HIV.’ BuaNews, 16 August, 2006.
[19]	E. C. Haddison, G. Ngeufack-Tsague, M. Noubom, W. Mbatcham, P. M. Ndumbe, and X. Mbopi-Keou, Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV among high school students in the Tiko Health District, Cameroon, Pan Afr Med J, vol. 13:18, 2012.
[20]	C. V. K. Deodatus, Voluntary HIV counselling and testing service uptake among primary school teachers in Mwanza, Tanzania: assessment of socio-demographic, psychological and socio-cognitive aspects, Unpublished PhD thesis. Norway, University of Bergen, 2006.
[21]	E. J. Kongnyuy, C. S. Wiysonge, R. E. Mbu, P. Nana, and L. Kouam, Wealth and sexual behaviour among men in Cameroon, BMC International Health and Human Rights, vol. 6, 11, 2006.
[22]	L. A. Eaton, A. J. Flisher, and L. E. Aaro, “Unsafe sexual behaviour in South African Youth,” Social Science and Medicine, vol. 56, pp. 149-165, 2003.
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APA Style

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Virginio Pietra. (2015). Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 1(1), 8-13. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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ACS Style

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang; Virginio Pietra. Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2015, 1(1), 8-13. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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AMA Style

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Virginio Pietra. Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2015;1(1):8-13. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12,
  author = {Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang and Virginio Pietra},
  title = {Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {8-13},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  abstract = {In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study
AU  - Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang
AU  - Virginio Pietra
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T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12
AB  - In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang

School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
Virginio Pietra

Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

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Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Virginio Pietra. (2015). Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 1(1), 8-13. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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ACS Style

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang; Virginio Pietra. Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2015, 1(1), 8-13. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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AMA Style

Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Virginio Pietra. Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2015;1(1):8-13. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12,
  author = {Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang and Virginio Pietra},
  title = {Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {8-13},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20150101.12},
  abstract = {In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study
AU  - Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang
AU  - Virginio Pietra
Y1  - 2015/06/15
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12
T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP  - 8
EP  - 13
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5765
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20150101.12
AB  - In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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