Relationship Between Awareness of HIV/AIDS and Attitudes of Secondary School Students to Premarital HIV Counseling and Testing in Zaria, Northern Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Research in HIV AIDS and Prevention - Year 2014, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: In Nigeria HIV infection is transmitted mainly through heterosexual route, affecting mostly individuals within reproductive age groups. As a result, HIV/AIDS education is advocated as a strong component of family and reproductive health education in the school curriculum which should emphasize responsible sexual behavior, premarital chastity and protective sexual practice. Aims/ objectives: To evaluate student’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS, premarital HCT, and reactions to possible discordant HCT results. Methods: Cross sectional questionnaire-based study of 600 students in 6 schools in Zaria/Sabon Gari LGAs. Exclusion criteria: students aged ≤13 years, married, in JSS 1-3, SS1. Results: 550 students completed questionnaire (92% response rate). 54.5% females (ᾱ age =17.5 ±2.7 years) versus 45.5% males (16.5 ±2.7 years), Muslims (53%) and Christians (47%) respectively. 76%, 57%, and 38% knew the meaning of AIDS, HIV and VCT respectively; while all knew both the routes of HIV transmission and preventive measures. More than two-third supported voluntary, free and self initiated premarital HCT, preferably in a private and confidential setting. None would marry a discordant HIV positive partner, while 61% would marry themselves if both have positive HIV results. Conclusion: Many students would shun marriage with discordant HIV+ partner.
Authors and Affiliations
O R Obiako, H M Muktar, T L Sheikh, A I Mamman, E E Anyebe, C O Obiako
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP262767
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-13-227
- Views 137
- Downloads 0
Phytochemicals May Arrest HIV-1 Progression
No Abstract
Partner Violence and Condom Use in HIV-Discordant Heterosexual Partnerships
This paper examines the association between intimate partner violence and the consistency of condom use in a US urban cohort of HIV-serodiscordant couples. It uses both male and female data from the California Partners S...
Knowledge, Perception And Practice Of Preventive Lifestyle Against HIV/AIDS Among Students Of A Tertiary Educational Institution In South Eastern Nigeria.
HIV/AIDS has become a global scourge affecting mainly young people. Sexual behavior change remains the most effective way of preventing further spread. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, perception and pra...
Correlation of Cryptococcal Antigen Assay with C-reactive Protein as Serum and Urine Biomarker in Cryptococcal Meningitis: Experience in a Tertiary Hospital
Aims and Objectives: The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans has risen markedly over the past 20 years as a result of theHIV epidemic and increasing use of immunosuppressive therapies....
Sociocultural Issues as Barriers to HIV-Infected Orphan Care in Southern Africa
As advances in treatment and prevention are starting to decrease the magnitude of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of orphans and children surviving Human Immunodef...