Objective. As the cure for HIV/AIDS continues to be elusive, and as the pandemic continues to have a negative socio-economic impact on many countries around the globe (particularly in sub-Saharan Africa), the best strategy to curtail the spread of the disease is to ramp up prevention efforts. More importantly, research has shown that in sub-Saharan, new cases of HIV infections are outpacing the prevention and treatment efforts. The aim of this research study was to determine what impact knowledge about HIV/AIDS and HIV testing and counseling have on risky sexual behavior in Kenya.

Method. The data source for this study was the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS, 2003). The total sample was 11,773 (the women's sample size was 8,195 and the men's was 3,578). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine what impact knowledge about HIV/AIDS and HIV testing and counseling have on risky sexual behavior.

Findings. The findings demonstrated that knowledge of HIV/AIDS; specifically - correct information of how to avoid getting HIV/AIDS—was consistently significantly associated with less likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners. However, for correct information of how HIV is transmitted, the findings were more mixed. That is, respondents with correct information on how HIV is transmitted were less likely not to use condoms; however, they were more likely to have multiple sex partners. With regard to HIV testing, respondents who were tested were significantly less likely to engage in casual sex and have a sexually transmitted infection. In terms of gender, as compared to men, women were significantly more likely not to use condoms. Moreover, alcohol consumption, exchanging sex for money or gifts, negative attitudes toward women, gender-based violence, and negative attitudes toward condoms were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior.

Policy implications. There is need for existing HIV prevention initiatives to effectively address factors such as multiple sex partnering, alcohol consumption, negative attitudes toward women, gender-based violence, and negative attitudes toward condoms, which are bound to undermine the fight against HIV/AIDS.