Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Sexual Practices Relating to HIV Infection/AIDS among Nigerian Secondary School Students

Abstract

This study examined AIDS/HIV-related knowledge attitudes and sexual practices of Nigerian secondary school students. The study employed 450 students using a multistage sampling technique from 4 Nigerian secondary schools. Questionnaires used in the study addressed sociodemographic characteristics knowledge about transmission and prevention of AIDS attitude towards the disease and disease-infected individuals sexual practices and AIDS education programs. Results revealed that 85.4% were able to describe AIDS correctly and 83.3% were aware of the transmission mode. A higher score was noted with increasing age and educational level in the analysis of sociodemographic characteristics. On the other hand a negative attitude prevailed among the adolescents with 70.7% claiming their dislike of having AIDS-infected individuals near them. Among the students studied 35.3% were sexually active and 26.7% had had sexual intercourse in the month prior to the survey. Two risk categories were observed in the assessment of sexual behavior: low-risk sexual status (having only one sexual partner) and consistent use of condoms. On the other hand high-risk individuals were those who reported having more than one concurrent sexual partner using condoms occasionally and having a past/present medical history of sexually transmitted disease. The study underscores the need to intensify existing AIDS campaigns particularly those that address the modification of adolescent behavior pertaining to HIV/AIDS.