The relationship between HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception among students at Makerere University.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception among university students. The study was carried out to ensure the following objectives objectives were achieved. .To establish the level of HIV knowledge of Makerere University students, to establish the level of HIV risk perceptions among Makerere University students, and to determine the relationship between HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception. The study used a correlational research design where by 150 respondents were selected from the three colleges using simple random sampling. Data from the respondents were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 23. Frequency tables were generated to further analyze the respondents' data and other information about the variables. Levels of HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception were analysed using frequencies and percentages while Pearson's product correlation coefficient was used to analyse the relationship between HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception. The study has shown that most students in Makerere university have high levels of knowledge on HIV. It has also shown that HIV risk perception low among university students. The study shows that there has been a negative significant relationship between HIV knowledge and HIV risk perception