Assessment of awareness of HIV/AIDS, causes / risk factors, mode of transmission and prevention, amongst prison inmates in Benin City, South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

The Human Immune Deficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) was first reported in 1981 and has evolved into a global pandemic. Prisoners constitute a vital group among the various vulnerable groups of HIV/AIDS because of the risky sexual practices among inmates and inadequate HIV prevention, care and support services. These coupled with the attitudinal factors of inmates make them a peculiar groups. The elevated rates of HIV infection found in prisons are not solely a concern for inmates but also for the society. This public health crisis goes beyond the confines of prisons, and also reaches the communities to
which they return upon completion of their term.The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of causes of HIV/AIDS, risk factors, mode of transmission and prevention among the prison inmates in Benin City, South-South Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted using questionnaire. One hundred (100) questionnaires were administered randomly on prison inmates. Fifth (50) to men and fifth (50) to female, making a total of 100 prisoners interviewed. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions relating to general knowledge of HIV/AIDS, causes/risk factors, mode of transmission and prevention. Scores were awarded for correct answer and no score was awarded for incorrect response. The total score obtainable was seven (7) for causes and risk factor, ten (10) for mode of transmission and six (6) for prevention of HIV/AIDS. The awareness of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates in Benin City was 54.0% while 9.0% had a fair knowledge of the mode of transmission. Pearson Product Correlation
analysis was used to determine the level of awareness of causes/risk factors and mode of 2 transmission of HIV/AIDS. X (p-value) < 0.05 indicates significant relationship between awareness on causes/risk factors, transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates in Benin City, thus, there was a significant level of awareness. But misconceptions about HIV/AIDS are still rife among the prisoners and educational programs would be required to correct this problem, prison inmates should be given the opportunity to know their status. It is expected that, if the goal of eradication is to be achieved, the prison population which has hit her to been neglected in research and implementation programs should be given necessary attention.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Prison inmates, Benin City.