Perception and Attitudes of Christian Youths towards Condom Use (Implications for HIV/AIDs in Nigeria)

Abstract

The study examined religiousity, perception and attitude towards condom use among Christian youths in Ile Ife, Nigeria with the aim of examining the implications on HIV/AIDs. A structured questionnaire based on Likert-type scales was employed to rate respondents’ attitudes. A total of 260 youths were interviewed, but 210 (80.8%) were found to be sexually active as at the time of the survey. Those who had sexual initiation before the age of 20 years were 42.9%, while less than 5% had ever gone for HIV test. Gender and level of religiousity were not significant predictors of age at first sex (p>0.05), but gender was a significant predictor of attitude towards sexual activeness
(p<0.01).Also, level of religiousity was a significant predictor of attitude
towards condom use and knowledge of HIV/AIDs prevention (p<0.05). The
paper concludes that not all who comply publicly with religious doctrines
does so in their private- where many sexual acts are negotiated and executed. Hence, in focusing resources on popularizing abstinence alone among the young and unmarried individuals, large numbers of those at an elevated risk for HIV/AIDs that fails to adhere to abstinence teachings will be missed out.

Keywords: Christian, sexuality, condom use, religiosity, attitude