Abstract:
This study investigated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) knowledge and
sexual behaviours of adolescents in the Bechem and Ashanti schools for the deaf
located in the Ahafo and Ashanti Regions of Ghana respectively. Five research
questions and five hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study hinged
on the Attribution theory by Weiner (1935) and literature reviewed based on the
research questions. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The purposive,
proportional and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of
one hundred and ten (110) students for the study. Self-constructed questionnaire was
used to gather data from the students for the study. The data was analyzed
descriptively into frequencies and percentages using SPSS software version 20. The ttest
with 95% confidence level was used to test the five hypotheses. The results of the
study indicated that although the students had some knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the
ignorance of the majority about the diagnosis/symptoms, prevention, and the
misconceptions they had regarding modes of transmission and cure of HIV/AIDS is a
demonstration of gaps in knowledge. Most of the sexually active students engaged in
behaviours that could make them susceptible to HIV infection. Students‟ risky sexual
life could be attributed to their insufficient knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The study found
no significant difference in HIV/AIDS knowledge between male and female
adolescents and between students in Bechem and Ashanti schools for the deaf. Also,
there was no significant gender difference regarding sexual behaviour. Similarly, no
difference in sexual behaviour was found between the schools. The study however
revealed a correlation between students‟ HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behaviour.
The heads of Bechem and Ashanti schools for the deaf should organise workshops for
their teachers on teaching strategies that can improve students‟ knowledge on
HIV/AIDS. The heads of the schools should institute counselling measures to help
reduce adolescents‟ engagement in high-risk sexual conduct.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, FACULTY
OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (SPECIAL EDUCATION) DEGREE
JUNE, 2018