HIV/AIDS-Related Knowledge and Sources of Information among Secondary School Students in Enugu Nigeria

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate AIDs – related knowledge, and sources of information, among secondary school students in Enugu, Nigeria. Anonymous structured interviews were conducted with 1009 multi-stage sampled students aged 10-20 years. Nine hundred of the students had heard about AIDS but only 725 knew that HIV causes AIDS. Fifty percent (50%) could identify transmission modalities but only 36-50% could correctly identify actions to avoid contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Students learned about HIV/AIDS from the society (22.3%) and TV-20%; Radio-19%; Newspapers-13%, than schools (11.0%) and from home (16%), while 33% believed AIDS was not real. Seventy-nine percent (79%) and 46% of the respondents were afraid and have aversion for People living with AIDS respectively. Upto 27% of the respondents had had premarital sex while only 50% agreed they could change their sexual practice on account of HIV/AIDS. The respondents, those who had begun sexual activity started early and engaged in risky sexual practices. Results from this study indicate that HIV/AIDs knowledge among the respondents is inadequate, and that they want to learn more. Appropriate and factual HIV/AIDS and sexuality information should be provided in formal conducive setting in-schools to counteract wrong information, misconceptions and sexual myths gained from uninformed general public and on occasions the media.