Awareness of HIV transmission, attitudes and practices amongst secondary students in an urban metropolis in Ibadan, south west Nigeria 2012

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization estimates 2.6 million new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections worldwide annually, with nearly 370,000 (14 %) occurring in persons under 15 years. Nigeria has the 2nd highest number of new infections world-wide with 3.7 % of the population living with HIV. Lack of information about sexual health and HIV, poor awareness of transmission and unprotected intercourse amongst sexually active adolescents, are major drivers of HIV infections, and constitute barriers to ending the pandemic in at risk groups. We assessed the awareness of HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and sexual practices amongst secondary school students in this vulnerable age group. Method(s): We conducted a descriptive cross sectional survey, amongst adolescent secondary school students in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. We selected 270 respondents using a multistage sampling technique. Information on socio demographic characteristics: knowledge about transmission of HIV, STIs and sexual practices was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was done using Chi square (chi2). Result(s): Mean age of respondents was 14.5 +/- 1.5 years. Of 270 students, 102 (38 %) were male, 224 (83 %) affirmed that sex should be delayed till completion of studies to prevent teenage pregnancy, however 26 (10 %) of the students were sexually active, with all, having unprotected intercourse. A total 124 (45.9 %) believe that unprotected sex and 120 (44 %) are aware STIs increases the risk of HIV/AIDS and unplanned teenage pregnancy, with awareness being associated with female gender (chi2 = 8.8: p = 0.013) and being a senior secondary student (chi2 = 53.758: p = 0.0001). Conclusion(s): Sexual health education with improved access to information on safe sexual behavior through youth-oriented public awareness campaigns should be incorporated into the secondary school curriculum in Oyo state.