A Study of Nigerian Youths’ Understanding, Perception of HIV/AIDS Phenomenon and Sex Attitudes: The Link between Acceptance of Reality and Marketing Motives of Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS Pandemic is one of the most serious and urgent public health challenges facing the government people and civil society in Nigeria today. The spread of the HIV responsible for AIDS has actually come under great control and management in many western countries. The developing countries such as Nigeria are still very much confused and battling with the reality and acceptance of the deadly virus in the society. In Nigeria, traditional beliefs, religion, cultural influences, poverty and social vices have hindered most of the genuine efforts of government and non governmental agencies to tackle HIV/AIDS menace in the country. Most of the youths in Nigeria, especially the secondary school, college and undergraduate students are very much aware that the sexual intercourse is the most prevalent mode of HIV/AIDS transmission in the country. Yet, for a variety of reasons, many of the youths in Nigeria continue to engage in sexual behaviours which are unsafe and could put them at risk of HIV/AIDS infection. The study discovers among others that some people mostly youths in Nigeria see HIV/AIDS as development propaganda to help multinational pharmaceutical companies sell and market their drugs and other sex related products in the country. It is also concluded that the information on HIV/AIDS and the sexual behaviour and the practice among Nigerian youths is still very much inadequate.