Predictors and Determinants of HIV Proneness among University Pre-service Teachers at Two Selected Universities in East Africa: A Logistic and Multiple Regression Analysis

The study explored the impact of various factors, including age, university affiliation, religion, gender, self-efficacy, intimacy, and HIV risk perception, on the likelihood of university pre-service teachers being affected by HIV. The research aimed to identify which among the three critical independent variables—self-efficacy, intimacy, and HIV risk perception—most significantly predicts susceptibility to HIV. The investigation was carried out among pre-service teachers at two universities in Uganda and Tanzania, chosen through systematic random sampling. Participants were evaluated using demographic, Likert, and dichotomous scales. Through the use of indices, proportions, logistic regression, and multiple regression analyses, the study found that most pre-service teachers exhibited a low tendency towards HIV. The study revealed that female pre-service teachers and those from Ugandan universities were more prone to HIV, while religious affiliation did not significantly affect HIV risk. Age appeared to influence vulnerability to HIV, but this was not statistically significant. In light of these findings, it is recommended that tertiary education institutions educate their students about intimacy, HIV risk, soft skills, and self-concept through various non-academic departments. These elements are crucial for mitigating HIV risk and, if not managed effectively, could negatively impact students' health, education, and overall well-being. Keywords: Predictors, Determinants HIV Proneness, University Pre-service Teachers, Multiple Regression Analysis. East Africa