ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent trends show a disproportionate increase in new incidences of HIV infection among teenagers compared to other population segments. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed secondary school students' perception of AIDS epidemic, and the influence of sociodemographic variables and AIDS knowledge on their perception and sexual practices. METHODS: Nigerian teenagers (N=1143) were surveyed using a questionnaire that elicited information on their demographics, AIDS knowledge, perceptions and previous encounter with survivors, and sexual practices. RESULTS: Although AIDS epidemic was not a serious issue of concern to a substantial number of the students, they were knowledgeable on AIDS, and their perceptions on AIDS epidemics influenced their sexual practices. Female teenagers were more knowledgeable and concerned, and more frequently reported inexperience with sexual intercourse compared to their male counterparts. CONCLUSION: AIDS education and campaigns that foster the internalization of the seriousness of AIDS epidemics and arouse concern about them could enhance safe sexual practices among the youths.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Sexual Behavior , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Adolescent , Attitude to Health , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Mass Screening/psychology , Nigeria , Safe Sex , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Socioeconomic Factors , StudentsABSTRACT
Adequate knowledge; positive attitude; and feeling of comfort are important factors in providing compassionate care to patients. The purpose of this study was to assess physicians' knowledge; attitude and global comfort in caring for patients with AIDS (PWA); to determine the sociodemographic variables that could influence physicians' attitude and global comfort; and to identify any relationship between their knowledge; attitude and comfort. Consultants and residents (N=211) in two Nigerian teaching hospitals were surveyed using a two-part questionnaire. Part I elicited sociodemographic and previous AIDS encounter information; and Part II assessed knowledge; attitude and global comfort with AIDS patients care. Nigerian physicians showed satisfactory knowledge; but they harbored negative attitude and low level of comfort in caring for PWA. Previous AIDS care experience; age and being a consultant or a senior resident influenced attitude; while male gender and knowing someone with AIDS influenced global comfort. Knowledge is weakly but positively associated with attitude; while attitude is modestly associated with comfort. The study reinforced the need for an ongoing education focused on experiential learning; and professional socialization in order to influence physicians' attitude and enhance their feeling of comfort when caring for PWA
