The effect of demographic variables on the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection among public secondary school students in Abuja
Keywords:
Preventive measures, HIV/AIDS infection, Secondary schools, demographic variables, AbujaAbstract
Objectives: HIV/AIDS remains a growing public health concern worldwide. Nigeria has been rated second largest HIV epidemic country in the world, of which 60% is among young people. Adolescents' risky behavior increases their vulnerability to HIV and AIDS and they cannot appreciate the adverse consequences of their actions. They have inherent characteristics among which are demographic variables that affect their ability to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Thus, the study examined the effect of their demographic variables on preventing HIV/AIDS infection so as to adequately report them and proffer solutions targeted at reducing the disease spread.
Methods: A descriptive survey was used for the study. Multistage sampling technique used to select 602 secondary school students that participated in the study. Self-developed validated questionnaire used to collect data. Data analyzed using SPSS 20; descriptive statistics of frequency counts, means, and percentages were used; Inferential statistics of ANOVA, t-test and regression used to test hypotheses set at 0.05 significant level.
Results: Students above 18 years markedly displayed awareness of preventive measures of HIV/AIDS (p < 0.05); religion and the class of the students had significant effect on their preventive measures of HIV/AIDS; gender significantly affected peer pressure and the students' risky behaviour. (P < 0.05); females are more at risk.
Conclusion: Demographic variables (age, religion, class and gender) still affect students' ability to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Efforts must be made by stakeholders preventing HIV/AIDs to put them under check through proactive counseling and sexuality education.
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