Adolescent girls’ participation in peer-group and improvements on HIV knowledge and condom use at sexual debut in rural Ethiopia

Abstract

Adolescent period for females is a transition phase to adulthood. It is often a concern for families and national health authorities because of the possibility of unprotected sexual debut, unintended pregnancies and the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adolescents may not have adequately developed life skills to protect themselves due to lack of knowledge or unavailability of protective means; especially in rural communities. However, community-based studies among early and unmarried adolescents regarding HIV knowledge and protective practices as well as interventions that promote greater self-protection in rural Ethiopia are also lacking.