Knowledge about AIDS and Sexual Behaviors of Inmates of Agodi Prison in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explored AIDS knowledge and sexual behavior of the 381 inmates of Agodi prison in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were collected in 1997 through interviewer-assisted questionnaires. Males dominated the sample (94.5 percent) and 49.3 percent were less than 30 years. Most respondents knew that HIV is transmitted through sex (96.6 percent) and transfusion with infected blood (94 percent); nevertheless, 30 percent believed the virus could spread through shaking infected persons' hands. Concerning sexual behavior: 53.3 percent masturbated; 46.5 percent engaged in risky sexual behaviors comprising men who had unprotected sex with male partners (53.5 percent), female prostitutes (25.6 percent) and female inmates (20.9 percent). Younger inmates had more (71 percent) homosexual contacts than older inmates (29 percent) ( p < 0.05). Homosexual practices prior to incarceration were unreported. Only 7.8 percent of sexually active prisoners used a condom. Although prisoners in Agodi were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, risky sexual practices persist. Multiple interventions are recommended to address this problem.