AIDS Prevention Programs and Sexual Behaviour Among Secondary School Adolescents in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: For the most part, adolescents are informed about HIV, its means of transmission and its method of prevention, but a large proportion of them still engage in patterns of sexual behaviour that may expose them to contracting HIV infection Objective: To examine the pattern of sexual behaviour of Nigerian adolescents and its possible determinants, so as to identify areas requiring emphasis in existing HIV/AIDS prevention programs Design, Setting and Subjects:A questionnaire survey was carried out on 516 adolescent secondary school pupils in five urban centres in Delta State, Nigeria to obtain socio-economic and demographic data, and information about the level of HIV awareness, methods of prevention and sexual behaviour. Results: Nearly all (94%) of the adolescents had heard about HIV/AIDS and knew that it is sexually transmitted. Despite this, 69% of them were sexually active at the time of the survey, and about one-third had multiple sexual partners, with less than 20% using condoms. Moreover, over half had engaged in casual sex in the preceding 12 months. Poverty and family instability were significantly associated with risky sexual behaviour. Conclusion: Informing and educating young people about HIV/AIDS does not seem to be sufficient to motivate them to change their sexual behaviour. Consequently, AIDS prevention programs should place greater emphasis on encouraging abstinence, fidelity, reducing the number of sexual partners, the use of condoms, and economic empowerment of adolescents. Key Words: HIV, AIDS, Sexual Behaviour, Adolescent, Prevention. [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2003, 20: 16-19]