Original Research

Youth awareness on sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS in secondary schools in the Dschang Municipality (Cameroon): The Mobile Caravan Project

Martin S. Sobze, Armand T. Tiotsia, Ghyslaine B.D. Dongho, Guy A.F. Tankui, Joseph Fokam, Kien-Atsu Tsi, Jimmy R. Fotso, Yannick N. Azeufack, Patrick P. Nkamedjie, Adogaye B.B. Sali, Rodrigue B. Mabvouna, Lucia Ercoli, Vittorio Colizzi, Gianluca Russo
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 7, No 2 | a1004 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2016.614 | © 2024 Martin S. Sobze, Armand T. Tiotsia, Ghyslaine B.D. Dongho, Guy A.F. Tankui, Joseph Fokam, Kien-Atsu Tsi, Jimmy R. Fotso, Yannick N. Azeufack, Patrick P. Nkamedjie, Adogaye B.B. Sali, Rodrigue B. Mabvouna, Lucia Ercoli, Vittorio Colizzi, Gianluca Russo | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 25 November 2024 | Published: 31 December 2016

About the author(s)

Martin S. Sobze, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Armand T. Tiotsia, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Ghyslaine B.D. Dongho, Department of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Public Health, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Guy A.F. Tankui, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Joseph Fokam, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management, Yaoundé, Cameroon; and, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy; and, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Kien-Atsu Tsi, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Jimmy R. Fotso, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Yannick N. Azeufack, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon; and, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy; and, Institute of Medicine Solidale (IMES), Rome, Italy
Patrick P. Nkamedjie, Institute for Research, Socio-Economic Development and Communication (IRESCO), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Adogaye B.B. Sali, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Rodrigue B. Mabvouna, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Lucia Ercoli, Institute of Medicine Solidale (IMES), Rome; Department of Biological Sciences, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Vittorio Colizzi, Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Gianluca Russo, Department of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Public Health, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Full Text:

PDF (670KB)

Abstract

Awareness is a preventive action to instill in individuals certain concepts to improve their health. It is an essential element in the prevention of sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV and early pregnancies among adolescents. In 2012, the prevalence of HIVin Cameroon was estimated at 4.3%. The young population appear to be the most affected (3.2%); very close to that of the Dschang Health District (Cameroon; 3.1%) in the 15-19 years age group. Theaimof this study was to evaluate the contribution of the Mobile Caravan project on the preventive aspect of STI/HIV/AIDS among youths of Dschang in 10 secondary schools within three years. 2029 students joined the project’s activities and 58.55% of them belonged to the age group of 16-21 years. Most students attended private schools. Nearly 3/4 of students (1515/2029) had an acceptable level of knowledge regarding STI/HIV/AIDS, which increased in number each year (from 641 to 716 students between 2012 and 2014). The Level of knowledge was significantly determinedby the study cycle (P=0.0004), the type of school (P=0.0027) and the year ofimplementation of activities (P=0.0026). The caravan project has greatly contributed to improving young peoples’ awareness on STI/HIV/AIDS in Dschang Municipality.

Keywords

mobile caravan project; awareness; STD/HIV; AIDS; Dschang

Metrics

Total abstract views: 992
Total article views: 266

 

Crossref Citations

1. Effectiveness of Outreach Clinical Mentoring on Retention in Care and Viral Suppression among HIV Positive Young Persons on Art in North Central Nigeria
Ogwuche John Igoche, Ruth Amarachi Ogbonna, Ejila Moses Onehi, Adamu Ibrahim Alhasan, Attah Peter, Inyang Nsikak Isaac
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT)  first page: 3136  year: 2024  
doi: 10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24MAY2401

2. Mobile-Based Interventions for Enhancing Health Literacy in Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Systematic Literature Review
Taleb Khodaveisi, Hamid Bouraghi, Soheila Saeedi, Nadia Saniee, Seyed Abedin Hoseini Ahangari
International Journal of Sexual Health  first page: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1080/19317611.2025.2571627

3. Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections amongst adolescents and young adults in Douala IV municipality, Cameroon: Prevalence, knowledge, and associated factors
Christina Mbongueh Mohnchimbare, Nicholas Tendongfor, Carine Ndum Asu, Loe Gisèle Etame, Nguedia Assob, Clement Jules
Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology  vol: 15  issue: 4  first page: 254  year: 2023  
doi: 10.5897/JPHE2023.1466