%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge, attitude and practices of adults of the reproductive years on reproductive health matters, with emphasis on HIV infected people in a Caribbean society
%A Paul A. Bourne
%A Neva South-Bourne
%A Cynthia G. Francis
%J North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%D 2010
%I North American Journal of Medical Sciences
%X Background: South and Southeast Asia represent the largest number of new HIV infections, while Sub-Saharan Africa represents the highest rate of new infections, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean. Yet no study that has emerged in the Caribbean has comprehensively examined young people¡¯s sexual and reproductive health attitudes, knowledge and practices, comparing the result with those who are HIV infected. Aim: The present study examines core issues of sexual and reproductive health among youths, particularly with respect to HIV. Material and methods: The sample was 1,800 respondents ages 15-49 years. Multivariate logistic regressions were fitted using one outcome measure: self-reported confirmed positive HIV test results. Results: Almost 34% of the sample had been tested for HIV, and 16.9% had done this in the past 12 months. Only 0.2% of the sample knew that they were HIV positive and 4% had positive HIV test results when they did the test. Of those with a positive HIV test result, 58.1% were females. Approximately 16% of those with HIV have had an STI infection in the past, and 61% were actively practicing religion. The mean age of first sexual relations for the sample was 15.4 years (SD = 3.2 years), and 15.6 years for those infected with HIV. Four variables emerged as statistically significant factors of Jamaicans¡¯ willingness to do an HIV test in the future. Conclusion: The findings of this research are far-reaching and can be used to guide public health policy formulation.
%K Reproductive health matters
%K condom usage
%K HIV
%K HIV-infected people
%K sexual relations
%K sexual behavior
%K adults
%K reproductive ages
%K Caribbean.
%U http://www.najms.org/resources/PDF+381-388+Knowledge$2C+attitude+and+practices+of+adults+of+the+reproductive+years+on+reproductive+health+matters$2C+with+emphasis+on+HIV+infected+people+in+a+Caribbean+society.pdf