Prevention of HIV/AIDS as perceived by religious leaders in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

HIV/AIDS, which was discovered in 1981, has remained the highest killer infection that the world is struggling to overcome. In the first one and a half decades of its appearance, the infection successfully affected over 40 million people while more than 20 million deaths were recorded resulting from AIDS-related diseases., Nigeria has been identified as HIV/AIDS endemic country. Interestingly, HIV/AIDS which is a life-long disease with no specific vaccine for its prevention is quite preventable through multi-dimensional approach. This study therefore focused on investigating the perception of religious leaders on prevention of HIV/AIDS. A sample size of 300 participants was purposively selected in llorin metropolis to respond to questionnaire items. Responses from the participants were analysed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical measure. Results indicated that religious leaders perceived HIV/AIDS as being preventable through well adjusted sexual behaviour. It was also discovered that perceptions of respondents were different based on religious affiliation, age and educational qualifications. It is therefore recommended that religious leaders should be actively involved in the HIV/AIDS campaign programme. Equally, counsellors