Adolescents' Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Enugu Urban, Nigeria

Abstract

The adolescents' perception about HIV/AIDS pandemic is the main focus of this study. The study sought to find the perceptions of male and female secondary school students and its relevance to the counseling profession. Three research questions and a null hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The study sample consisted of 200 respondents from four different co-educational schools in Enugu Urban of Enugu state. A four-point Likert-type questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using means and standard deviations for the research questions and t-test statistics for the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study indicated that adolescents are aware of the spread of HIV/AIDS and the need for guidance and counseling services. Further analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the perceptions of the male and female adolescents about the spread of HIV/AIDS. The results were discussed, their implications highlighted and recommendations made.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Pandemic; Perception' Adolescents

The Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Vol. 11 (1) 2006: pp. 118-126