HIV/AIDS Awareness among Traders in Port-Harcourt; Rivers State; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A pilot study was carried out involving 193 market traders randomly selected from the three markets in the Port Harcourt metropolis; of Rivers State; Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to investigate the HIV/AIDS awareness of these traders. Fifty (50) percent of the respondents were in the age range of 21 to 30 years; 69were single and 95were Christians. The results indicate that the traders were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. However; there were some misconceptions. Though highly sexually active; only 18considered themselves at risk of contracting or having contracted the virus. The news media scored highest as a source of HIV/AIDS information. A high percentage (56) of the respondents claimed that their sexual behaviours have not been altered as a result of the HIV/AIDS awareness but 73will now advise/ use a condom. It appears that these traders will now exercise caution in negotiating new sexual relationships. It is recommended that awareness be scaled up; considering that majority of these traders are not literate; are making meager incomes and therefore might be tempted to consider sex; as a means of augmenting these meager incomes