Social factors, social support and condom use behavior among young urban slum inhabitants in southwest Nigeria

Objectives: Despite widespread knowledge that condoms offer protection against STIs/HIV when used correctly and consistently; many young people do not regularly use condoms; thus leading to new sexually transmitted infections; including HIV and AIDS. This study explored condom use behaviour; specifically the extent to which beliefs; self efficacy; risk perception and perceived social support act as predictors of use or non-use of condoms among sexually active young people aged 15-24 years. Methods: Data was obtained from sexually active 448 boys and 338 girls; who were selected through multistage sampling techniques. Analysis of data; which was done with EPI Info and SPSS version 12; focused on predictors of condom use or non-use. Result: Generally; there is widespread knowledge and low levels of condoms use; despite high levels of risky sexual behaviour. Although; half of boys and one third of girls report ever using condoms; a considerably lower proportion of male and female adolescents regularly use condoms. Logistic regression models show that among girls; those who perceived social support from peers and non-parental figures were more likely to use condoms while among boys; earning an income; high risk perception and self efficacy were associated with higher odds of condom use. Conclusions: Programs aiming to increase condom use among young people need to address these factors through community-based strategies

Evaluation of the Nigerian national antiretroviral (ARV) treatment training programme.

There is an understanding that greater availability of HIV treatment for the 40.3 million people currently infected with HIV is a humanitarian imperative that could prolong the lives of millions, restore economic productivity, and stabilise societies in some of the world's hardest-hit regions. The Nigerian government recognises that the country has the third highest burden of infection, with people living with HIV estimated to total 4.0 million, and so in 2002 commenced the implementation of one of Africa's largest antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programmes. A successful ARV programme requires that all components of a functional management system be put in place for effective and efficient functioning. This would include logistics, human resources, financial planning, and monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as sustainable institutional capacities. The Nigerian national ARV treatment training programme was conceived to meet the human resource needs in hospitals providing ARV therapy. This paper reports on the evaluation of the training programme. It examines knowledge and skills gained, and utilisation thereof. Recommendations are made for improved training effectiveness and for specific national policy on training, to meet the demand for scaling up therapy to the thousands who need ARV.