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Child Abuse and AIDS-Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Among Adolescents in Zambia

NCJ Number
218018
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 143-159
Author(s)
Vered Slonim-Nevo; Lawrence Mukuka
Date Published
February 2007
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study researched the relationship between child maltreatment, specifically sexual abuse and physical abuse and AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among adolescents in Zambia.
Abstract
The study results showed that as the level of abuse (sexual and physical) experienced by the adolescents in Zambia increased their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the tendency to hold positive attitudes toward prevention and level of self-efficacy regarding HIV/AIDS prevention decreased. Adolescents in Zambia suffer from structural extra-familial neglect and abuse deriving from the conditions in which they live. Intra-familial abuse should not be ignored not only because it has severe negative impacts on the development of children, but it also reduces the likelihood that the victims will be able to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is important to raise the awareness to the problem of child sexual and physical abuse and its connection with HIV/AIDS infection. Programs that prevent child abuse should be developed, implemented, and evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing the rate of child abuse as well as the rate of HIV/AIDS infection. There is evidence that various mental health and behavioral problems linked to child sexual abuse increase the adolescents’ participation in HIV-risk behaviors, and their vulnerability to HIV infection. Less is known about the phenomenon of child abuse in Africa in general and its relation to the engagement in HIV risk behaviors. This study researched the correlation between physical and sexual abuse by family members and AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficiency, and behavior among urban and rural adolescents in Zambia. Tables and references