Abstract
The study sought to determine the extent to which parenting style and parental educational level influence perception of HIV/AIDS pandemic among secondary school students in Calabar Education Zone. Ever since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, concerted efforts have been made by international bodies, agencies, the government etc., to curb the scourge of the malignant virus. This effort has made many to know the potential threat the epidemic possess to human existence. However, in spite of these efforts, many students still perceive HIV/AIDS as a mirage that does not exist. Perception of HIV/AIDS refers to the amount of knowledge about causes, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment, possessed (especially intuitive), on HIV/AIDS. The main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of parenting style and educational level on perception of HIV/AIDS pandemic among secondary school students in Calabar Education Zone. The population of this study comprised of all the SS1, 2 & 3 Students and 1,200 students randomly selected as sample for this study. Data collection instrument was a facts finding questionnaire titled family variables and students perception of HIV/AIDS’ (FVSPA). The major findings were that; parenting style has significant influence on students’ perception of HIV/AIDs. Parental educational level has significant influence on students’ perception of HIV/AIDs. It was recommended that the school management in collaboration with the school guidance counsellors should frequently use forums such as PTA’s to organize trainings in order to sensitize parents on the adoption of most appropriate style of parenting for their children.
Highlights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDs) is a global epidemic with its occurrence recorded in all the countries of the world
The statistical analysis and test of hypothesis one of this study has revealed the facts that parenting style has significant influence on students perception of HIV/AIDs causes, prevention and treatment but not significant on their perception of HIV/AIDs transmission
These results, with particular reference to students under authoritative parenting group who were seen to be more informed on the possible causes; prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDs corroborates with Sampson (2016), who posited that authoritative parents encourage verbal give and take, convey the reason behind rules and this parenting style is most often associated with positive adolescent outcomes and has been found to be the most effective and beneficial style of parenting among most families
Summary
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDs) is a global epidemic with its occurrence recorded in all the countries of the world. Students from authoritative parents possesses self-control and these perception to a fault, restrains them from associating with others and indulging in any sexual behaviour that can lead to the acquisition of deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS Perhaps, they do so because they perceive that all those infected with HIV/AIDS are careless and lack self-control. Kilian (2011) and Blanc (2012) in their study in India supported this idea when they added that students’ orientation of HIV/AIDS at home by their parents may directly affect their access to health services and exposure to health interventions They concluded in the study that illiterate parents (i.e., parents who have not attended even primary school) perceive sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as a diabolic punishment for evil and lack of morality. Parental educational level does not significantly influence students’ perception of HIV/AIDS pandemic
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