ABSTRACT
Background: The average numbers of Nigerians who have been incarcerated over the past three decades when HIV/AIDS was discovered have been increasing and the seroprevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the prison inmates remained higher than the national average due to the occurrence of risky sexual practices among inmates and inadequate HIV prevention, care and support services. This study assessed the sexual risk behaviour and knowledge of HIV/AIDS among inmates in Kaduna State, north western Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study with qualitative method of data collection (focus group discussion) was conducted on 107 inmates aged 20 to 55 years in Kaduna State Prisons Command between September 8th and October 2nd 2010. Information elicited were transcribed and translated where appropriate and presented as tables and in narrative forms with relevant quotations. Results: The mean average age of the respondents was 34(±8.62) years. The general awareness and knowledge of causative agent of HIV infection was high (96.3% and 67.3% respectively). However, some have misconceptions of witchcraft (9.3%), enemies (11.2%), bacteria (12.1%) and mosquitoes’ bite (15.9%) as the causative agent/ mode of transmission of HIV infection. 99.5% acknowledged that HIV/AIDS and risky sexual practices occurred in prison but denied taking part. Sex in prison was often associated with homosexual behavior among the males but participants were pessimistic about condom distribution due to fear of promotion of homosexuality (65.4%) and non compliance with religion (34.6%). Conclusion: Despite high level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among inmates, there are still misconceptions. Homosexual practices associated with HIV/AIDS transmission is practiced among the male inmates; however, the use of condom which is one of the evidence based strategies for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS is met with a high degree of resistance by inmates. Therefore, there is need for implementation of HIV/AIDS interpersonal communication and counseling programmes for the inmates in Nigeria prisons.