‘Abstinence-Be-Faithful-Condom-use’ model of HIV/AIDS preventive knowledge and practices in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in Ghana

The study examined the ‘Abstinence-Be-Faithful-Condom-use (ABC) model’ of HIV/AIDS preventive knowledge and practices among rural and urban residents in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality (LMKM). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey under the descriptive study design. Systematic and purposive techniques were used to sample 362 respondents, and 52 participants. Questionnaire and unstructured interview were used to gather data from the respondents and participants in the LMKM. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data obtained for the study. The study revealed that urban dwellers have good knowledge of and practised the ‘ABC’ model of HIV prevention compared to rural dwellers in the LMKM. Urban dwellers have good knowledge on abstinence as a preventive measure of HIV compared to rural dwellers. The study also found that, both rural and urban dwellers practised faithfulness, however, both rural and urban dwellers misunderstood the term being faithful as they had more lifetime sexual partners which does not conform to the ‘ABC’ model. Rural dwellers exhibited low knowledge and use of condoms compared with urban dwellers. It is therefore recommended that there should be a collaboration between the Municipal Health Directorate, Ghana AIDS Commission, country office of the World Health Organization, National Commission on Civic Education, community leaders and non-governmental organizations to expedite action on educating the communities on HIV preventive practices in the municipality focusing more on rural communities.