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 amongadolescentsin Ora community, Edo State.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among440 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%) ofthe respondentshad good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, while 291 (59.3%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Age15 ­19 years(p=0.001) malesex(p =0.049) and respondents in SS2 class (p=0.005) were significantly associated with knowledge.A negative attitude was recorded among139 (51.3%) students who had good knowledge. The relationship between knowledgeand attitude towards HIV/AIDS was statistically significant(p=0.01). Twenty-five(73.5%) of the sexually active respondents had poor preventive practiceregardingHIV/AIDS.Conclusion: More than half of the students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS while a majority of themwho were sexually active had poor preventive practices. Respondents aged 15­19 years, malesand in SS2class significantly had goodknowledgeof HIV/AIDS. Health education intervention programstargeted on the prevention of HIV/AIDS should be designed for Secondary School Students