Article Sidebar
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles
The copyright of the paper will be vested on the journal and
the publisher.
Main Article Content
Knowledge, attitude and practices of adolescent secondary school students in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State of HIV/AIDS.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adolescents have a tendency to engage in high risk sexual and drug-use behaviour; and with a poor health-seeking behaviour, they continue to present the highest
number of new cases of HIV reported in Africa.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practise of
adolescent secondary school students towards AIDS.
METHOD: A cross sectional study was carried out on 358 senior secondary students selected by multistage sampling. A researcher administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection.
RESULTS: All had heard of AIDS, of which 40% cited the media as source of information. Seventy four percent knew the cause to be a virus, 63% could differentiate between AIDS and HIV, over 85% knew of transmission through sex, mother to child,
contaminated blood, and contaminated needles; 59% cited kissing. Weight loss was the most common symptom (85%) mentioned. Over 76% knew AIDS to be untreatable. Over 75%
knew methods to prevent spread of which 23% cited sex with a virgin, 61% did not know anyone infected with the virus, 58% felt infected persons should not be allowed to stay in the
community, 61 % agreed to continue a relationship with an infected friend, 83% agreed to care for an infected relative. Of 22% who agreed they were sexually active, 66% and 12% had one and multiple partners respectively. Regarding protection, 30% used condom always, 48 % sometimes and 23 % never. Twenty-one percent had ever had sex under influence of alcohol or marijuana. 55% were willing to be tested, however none had been tested.
CONCLUSION: Senior secondary school students in Uvwie have a fairly good knowledge of AIDS, and poor attitude towards people living with AIDS. Few are sexually active and are engaged in unsafe sex.
KEYWORDS: AIDS, secondary school students, condom use, knowledge, HIV risk behaviour, sexual practices.
number of new cases of HIV reported in Africa.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practise of
adolescent secondary school students towards AIDS.
METHOD: A cross sectional study was carried out on 358 senior secondary students selected by multistage sampling. A researcher administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection.
RESULTS: All had heard of AIDS, of which 40% cited the media as source of information. Seventy four percent knew the cause to be a virus, 63% could differentiate between AIDS and HIV, over 85% knew of transmission through sex, mother to child,
contaminated blood, and contaminated needles; 59% cited kissing. Weight loss was the most common symptom (85%) mentioned. Over 76% knew AIDS to be untreatable. Over 75%
knew methods to prevent spread of which 23% cited sex with a virgin, 61% did not know anyone infected with the virus, 58% felt infected persons should not be allowed to stay in the
community, 61 % agreed to continue a relationship with an infected friend, 83% agreed to care for an infected relative. Of 22% who agreed they were sexually active, 66% and 12% had one and multiple partners respectively. Regarding protection, 30% used condom always, 48 % sometimes and 23 % never. Twenty-one percent had ever had sex under influence of alcohol or marijuana. 55% were willing to be tested, however none had been tested.
CONCLUSION: Senior secondary school students in Uvwie have a fairly good knowledge of AIDS, and poor attitude towards people living with AIDS. Few are sexually active and are engaged in unsafe sex.
KEYWORDS: AIDS, secondary school students, condom use, knowledge, HIV risk behaviour, sexual practices.
