Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and associated factors of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Ora Community, Edo State

Abstract

Background: Adolescents constitute a significant proportion of the vulnerable group in the society and often engage in risky sexual behaviours which predispose to HIV/AIDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, preventive practices of HIV/AIDS and its associated factors among adolescents in Ora community, Edo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 440 secondary school students selected by stratified sampling technique. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two hundred and forty-two (242; 55.0%) of the respondents were aged 10 – 14 years. Two hundred and seventy-one 271 (61.6%) of the respondents had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, while 291 (59.3%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Age 15 – 19 years (p = 0.001) male sex (p = 0.049) and respondents in SS2 class (p = 0.005) were significantly associated with knowledge. A negative attitude was recorded among 139 (51.3%) students who had good knowledge. The relationship between knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Twenty-five (73.5%) of the sexually active respondents had poor preventive practice regarding HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: More than half of the students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS while a majority of them who were sexually active had poor preventive practices. Respondents aged 15 – 19 years, males and in SS2 class significantly had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Health education intervention programs targeted on the prevention of HIV/AIDS should be designed for Secondary School Students.