What This Means
This research examined what adolescents and young adults in Angola know about sexual and reproductive health, how they behave sexually, and how common certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among them. The study included 1,400 young people aged 15 to 25 from both urban and rural areas in Angola's Benguela province. Researchers used questionnaires to assess knowledge and behaviors, and rapid blood tests to check for HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis.
The study found that while a slight majority (about 58%) had adequate general knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, detailed knowledge was rare — particularly among young men living in rural areas who lacked access to the internet or printed media like journals. Nearly half (46%) of those who had been sexually active reported engaging in risky sexual behaviors, and this was especially common among males. The most striking infection-related finding was that 13.6% of participants tested positive for hepatitis B, which was higher than anticipated. HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis rates were comparatively low (0.35%, 0.3%, and 1.4%, respectively).
This research suggests that sexual health education programs in Angola need to reach young people in rural areas using methods that do not rely solely on internet access, such as printed materials, community outreach, or radio, alongside digital approaches for urban youth. The high rate of hepatitis B also points to a need for stronger HBV vaccination efforts among young people in this region. The findings are particularly valuable because very little data on STI prevalence and sexual health knowledge had previously been available for Angola.