HIV /AIDS preventive measures: Why not abstain?

Abstract

Background: The Human Immuno Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(HIV/AIDS) remains one of the world’s major public health and social economic problem. In the absence of a cure, prevention through sexual abstinence remains the most effective primary strategy to eliminate the pandemic.
Aim: To identify factors associated with sexual abstinence as the most effective primary preventive measure against HIV/AIDS among students in a tertiary institution in Edo State.
Materials and Methods:This study employed a descriptive survey design to investigate factors associated with sexual abstinence among 185 students in a tertiary institution in Edo State, Nigeria. Respondents’ knowledge, attitude and factors associated with sexual abstinence as a preventive measure of HIV/AIDS were assessed by means of a selfadministered questionnaire designed by the researchers. Instrument validity and reliability was based on stated objectives and by pilot testing among 20 students in another faculty but with similar characteristics. A reliability score of over 0.811on all domains with the Pearson Correlation statistics indicates the instrument was reliable. Descriptive and inferential analysis were employed to analyze the data at a p-value of 0.05df.
Results:majority 180 (97.3%) of the respondents have good knowledge of HIV/AIDS’ preventive measures while only 5(2.7%) reported that it cannot be prevented. Eighty (45.9%) respondents strongly agreed with the use of abstinence as a preventive measure against HIV/AIDS. The overall mean attitudinal score of 2.89 indicates that the respondents have positive attitude towards sexual abstinence as a preventive measure of HIV/AIDS. Religious and traditional belief practices, positive attitude of one’s sexual health were identified as some factors responsible for sexual abstinence by 167(90.3%) and 130(70.3%)respondents, while poverty and peer influence were implicated as been responsible for non-abstinence by 116(62.7%) and 146(78.9%) of them. Hypothesis test at p<0.05 revealed a statistical insignificant and weak negative relationship between knowledge and attitude.
Conclusion: The study concludes with a recommendation for strong family base and support for the youths with concerted efforts at building  family values and teaching sex education in early childhood. Furthermore, heads of institutions should encourage and provide recreational and sports facilities and programmes to serve as a diversional therapy from sex.

Keywords: Sexual Abstinence, HIV/AIDS preventive measures, University students.