The Role Of The Family In Prevention Of Hiv/aids Among Youths In The Society
[A CASE STUDY OF OSHIMILI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE]

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

HIV/AIDs is a universal problem in February 2002, they were about 40 million HIV infected persons worldwide. Most of these cases of HIV/AIDs have been reported in sub-Saharan Africa about 6 million people get infected every year, Nwachukwu (2002).

Research shows that infected people come from all socio-economic class, all races and all faiths. The main mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse. Other means such as transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of unsterilized sharp objects and mother to child transmission are also responsible for the spread of the disease.

The problem of HIV/AIDs and the resultant consequences are enormous and the family which is the first of socialization of the individual has a lot of role to play in curbing the spread of the disease. 

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of the study is to access the influence of the socio-economic background of the family (parents especially) on prevention of HIV/AIDs amongst youths. 

The specific objectives are:

1. To determine if the educational status of parents has a correlation with the practice of behavior that could lead to HIV/AIDs amongst the youth (their children).

2. To determine if the economic status of parents has an influence on behavior of youths, that could lead to HIV/AIDs.

3. To determine the influence of communication between parents and children and how this helps to reduce behaviors that could lead to HIV/AIDs.  

1.3 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

1. The higher the educational level of parents, the lower the rate of behavior that could lead to the spread of HIV/AIDs amongst the youths, and the lower the educational level of parents, the more youths will engage in behaviours that promote the spread of HIV/AIDs. 

2. The higher the economic status of parents the lower the rate of behaviours promoting the spread of HIV/AIDs amongst youths and the lower of economic status of parents the higher the engaging of behavior that promote HIV/AIDs.

3. The smaller the communication gap between parents and children, the less risky behavior engaged in by the youth and the wider the communication gap between  parents and children the higher the tendency to engage in behaviours that promote the spread of HIV/AIDs.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study derives its relevance from the fact that when completed It will increase the knowledge and understanding of the influence of the family in preventing HIV/AIDs amongst youths in Oshimili South Local Government and in Nigeria at large. 

Findings could also enable the relevant authorities to act appropriately in enlightening the public on the important role of the family in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDs menace.

1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS

• HIV: Human Immune Deficiency virus

• AIDs: acquired Immune deficiency syndrome

• Youth: a young person above childhood and early adulthood (between 15 and 26 years, for the purpose of this study).

• Risky behavior: Those acts that are engaged in by individuals that could encourage the contacting and spread of HIV/AIDs – acts such as unprotected sex, sharing of sharp objects, transfusion of unscreened blood etc.

• Communication: Free interaction between parents and children (on sex and sex related issues).