CHANGES IN HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS ATTRIBUTED TO EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno- Deficiericv Syndrome (AIDS) pose major public health problems in Nigeria. Adolescents and other young persons should receive priority interventions because they are worst hit by the impact of the pandemic, Undergraduate students of the University of lbadan have been targets of many HIV/AIDS prevention interventions during the last five years. However, effect of these initiatives is yet to be properly evaluated. The objectives of this study were to assess reported changes in HIV /AIDS knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviours among undergraduate students as a result of their exposure to HIV /AIDS prevention intervention. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design and it aimed at measuring impact of HIV /AIDS interventions programme in the University in the last 5 years. The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (five each for male and female students) were conducted and a standardized questionnaire was administered on 676 out 13,029 students who were randomly selected from the 10 halls of residence in the university. The FGDs data were transcribed and analysed using, thematic approach. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents mean age was 22.9 ±3.27 years with a range of 16 to 40 years old. There were more males (59.0%) than to females (41.0%). Most (98.2%) had never been married. More than half (62.0%) claimed that they had ever received HIV/AIDS educational/information from fellow students; many (33.0%) had heard about the MacArthur Peer educational HIV /AIDS prevention programme and (28.1%) had participated in HIV /AIDS programme on the campus. The programmes consisted of campaign/rally(3.7%), lecture/symposium (23.0%) and drama presentation (0.7%). Majority of the students (64.6%) reported changes in behaviour directly attributed to the HIV/AIDS education they had received on campus. These changes include: reduction in number of sexual partners (45.0%), use or condoms (42.3%), avoidance of sharing sharp objects (82.4%), avoidance of blood transfusion (78.0%) and taking HIV test (50.0%). More male’ respondents (48.0%) than females (40.0%) admitted reduction number of sexual partners and use of condoms (48.0% vs 34.0%) (p<0.05) while slightly more females (72.0%) than males (69.4%) reported abstinence from sex (p<0.05). 'The proportion of students who reported positive change in attitude towards Persons Living with HIV /AIDS (PLWHA) with respect to eating from the same plate, rose from 48.2% before expose to 62.3 % after exposure (p<0.05). There was also an increase in the number of students who took HIV test from 29.0% before to 50.0% after exposure to intervention programme (p<0.05). The FGD finding showed that there was a high level of awareness of HIV /AIDS among the students. There was unanimity of opinion that the disease could be contracted through unprotected sex. All the discussants claimed they had changed their attitudes, behaviours and beliefs about HIV /AIDS and PLWHA. The intervention on HIV /AIDS prevention is motivating students to reduce risky sexual practices and use of HIV test services. Interventions need to be intensified to reach larger proportion of students through health education campaign strategies including peer education, counseling and public enlightenment.