HIV/AIDS Knowledge among secondary school students in Tanzania: A case of Missungwi district in Mwanza Region

Background Based on the latest UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic; about 34 million people worldwide are estimated to live with HIV and about 69% of them are found in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, people living with HIV/AIDS are estimated to be 1.6 million, of which, 1.3 million belong to the age of 15 years and above. Broad Objective The study aimed to assess the general knowledge of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Misungwi district. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed involving 330 students. Information concerning knowledge on causes, risk factors, transmission routes, signs and symptoms as well as preventive measures of HIV/AIDS was collected using a self-assessment structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using STATA. Mean and standard deviation summarized the numerical variables. Categorical variables were summarized using frequency and proportions. A linear regression model was used to determine the relationships between knowledge score and exposure variables. Multivariable were used to control for confounders. Significance level was set at 5%. Results Majority of students had the age of 16–18 years old. Male were 64% of the sample. The study found age, sex and level of classes had an influence the knowledge on symptoms, risk factors and general knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Age appeared to influence HIV symptoms, risk factors and general knowledge (p