HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Traders in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Abstract: A pilot study was carried out involving 193 market traders randomly selected from the three markets in the Port Harcourt metropolis, of Rivers State, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to investigate the HIV/AIDS awareness of these traders. Fifty (50%) percent of the respondents were in the age range of 21 to 30 years, 69% were single and 95% were Christians. The results indicate that the traders were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. However, there were some misconceptions. Though highly sexually active, only 18% considered themselves at risk of contracting or having contracted the virus. The news media scored highest as a source of HIV/AIDS information. A high percentage (56%) of the respondents claimed that their sexual behaviours have not been altered as a result of the HIV/AIDS awareness but 73% will now advise/ use a condom. It appears that these traders will now exercise caution in negotiating new sexual relationships. It is
recommended that awareness be scaled up, considering that majority of these traders are not literate, are making meager incomes and therefore might be tempted to consider sex, as a means of augmenting these meager incomes.