Determinants of Comprehensive Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among High-School Students in Mongolia

[[abstract]]Background: Mongolia is a young country. Half the population of Mongolia is under the age of 19 years, with about 20% in the adolescent age group (10-19 years). With a breakdown of traditional norms and nomadic way of life, increasing mobility, improved purchasing power for some and in the context of uptake of some risk practices, it is important to consider ways to promote the health of young people. Tobacco and alcohol use are of increasing concern in Mongolia, as are sexual and reproductive health (SRH), STIs and the potential spread of HIV which is currently at low prevalence. Methodology: The study used data collected in 2010 in the Mongolia Global School- based Health Survey. It is two-stage cluster sample design. Frequency distribution and chi-squared test were used to estimate and compare the comprehensive knowledge HIV/AIDS the social demographic factors among secondary school students. Logistic regression analysis was also to identify factors associated with HIV/AIDS. Result: Mongolian Global School-based Student Health Survey 2010 was conducted with a sampling size of 5238 students. Overall, 56.7% of the respondents were female students and 43.3% were male. The majority of the total respondents had close friends 95,3% more than half 55,2% of the total respondents were living in urban area, while 42,9% were living in rural area. prevalence of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among high school students in Mongolia most of the respondents 83,8% were heard of HIV/AIDS. 62,8% of the students had taught how to avoid HIV/AIDS. Most students 78,3% do not talk with parents about HIV/AIDS . More than half of the respondents 56% had never taught signs of HIV/AIDS Conclusion: Comprehensive school-based sex education interventions adapted from effective programs and those involving a range of school-based and community-based components had the largest impact on changing HIV-related behaviors. Although the female adolescents are highly vulnerable to HIV infection and its effects, they were by far less likely to have comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge. HIV/AIDS information, education and communication activities need to be intensified in high schools