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Knowledge, Belief And Attitude Towards Hiv/aids Among Secondary School Adolescents
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Human
immunodeficiency virus infection acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome(HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the initial infection a
person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is
typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the
illness progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system,
making people much more likely to get infections, including
opportunistic infections, andtumours that do not usually affect people
with working immune systems.
HIV is transmitted primarily through
unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood transfusions,
infected syringe and instrument and from mother to child during
pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva
and tears, do not transmit HIV. Prevention of HIV infection, primarily
through safe sex and needle-exchange, is a key strategy to control the
spread of the disease.
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS; however,
antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead
to a near-normal life expectancy. While antiretroviral treatment
reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, these
medications are expensive and may be associated with side effects.
HIV
originated in west-central Africa during the early twentieth century.
It was first recognized by the centres for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in 1981 and its cause HIV infection was identified in
the early part of the decade. Since its discovery, AIDS has caused
nearly 30 million deaths (2009). As of 2010; approximately 34 million
people have contracted HIV globally. AIDS is considered a pandemic, a
disease outbreak which is present over a large area and is actively
spreading.
The high incidence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Sahara Africa has
been widely documented (Taylor, 2003). There are more than 40 million
people afflicted with HIV/AIDS worldwide, 30 million are estimated to
live in this region of Africa (UNAIDS, 2003). This represents about 70
percent of the global disease burden even though this region of Africa
only accounts for about 10 percent of the global population (Eaton et.
al, 2002). The most afflicted sub-Saharan African nations include
Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria,
Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia (White, 2003).
The
unique challenges in combating the continuing spread of the disease in
the region of Africa have been discussed by various groups and
individuals (UNAIDS/UNICEF/WHO, 2002; Piot, 2000; Butler, 2000; Eaton,
2002).
HIV/AIDS has had a great impact on society, both as an illness
and as a source ofdiscrimination. The disease also has significant
economic impacts. There are manymisconceptions about HIV/AIDS such as
the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The
disease has also become subject to many controversies involving
religion.
Nigeria has the third highest population of people living
with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, the knowledge of
HIV/AIDS and uptake of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is still
low, especially in the rural areas.
It is also widely documented that
half of all new infections with HIV/AIDS now occur in young people
under the age of 25. While the spread of the virus may be slowing among
other members of the global community, increases in incidence of the
disease appear to be the norm among youth all over the world (Morris,
2003).
There are more than six billion people in the world today; one
billion are between the ages of 15-24. Half of the population of
sub-Saharan Africa is under 18 years of age. One third of those living
with HIV/AIDS in the region are between the ages of 15-24 (UNAIDS,
2002). Unless there is global commitment to decreasing the incidence of
this contagion in this region of the world, Africa may remain the
reservoir for HIV/AIDS transmission in the foreseeable future.
A
dearth of knowledge about HIV/AIDS etiology among young people globally,
constitutes a major challenge to the control of this scourge. Most
people become sexually active in adolescence. The need to admit that
young people are having sex but lack the proper knowledge to protect
them is particularly important in the war against HIV/AIDS. Young people
are now the epicenter and bear a disproportionate burden of this
pandemic (WHO/UNICEF/UNAIDS, 2002).
Surveys continue to indicate that
young people between 15 and 24 years harbor serious misconceptions
about HIV and how it is transmitted (Cohall, et.al,2001).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]The study examines knowledge, belief and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among secondary school adolescents in Arigbajo Community, Ifo Local Government, Area of Ogun State.Three research questions and three research hypotheses guided the study, relevant literature on the identified variable were reviewed. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The sample for the study comprised 250respondents selected by means of simple random sampling technique. The instrument used for the ... Continue reading---
