PATTERNS OF MOTHERS COMMUNICATION ON HIV/AIDS WITH THEIR ADOLESCENT CHILDREN IN IBADAN METROPOLIS

Abstract

Young people aged 15-24 years have the highest prevalence rate of HIV infection. The key to prevention is providing this group with correct information and education on HIV/AIDS, especially, through the parents. Armed with correct information about HIV/AIDS from home, adolescents can make informed decisions about their sexual behaviours without a negative peer influence. Only few studies had explored the extent to which mothers discuss HIV/AIDS issues with their adolescent children. The objective of the study was to describe the patterns of mothers' communication on HIV/AIDS issues with their adolescents in Ibadan metropolis. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Ibadan metropolis using a multi stage sampling technique. One hundred and twenty five mothers were randomly selected from each of the three geographical locations in the city - inner-core (125), transitional (125), and peripheral (125). Semi-structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were used for data collection. Eight focus group discussions were carried out while the questionnaire was used to interview 375 mothers who had adolescent students. Respondents' mean age was 40 years (SD ± 14.3). Sixty six percent were traders, and 85.5% were of Yoruba ethnic group. Eighty nine percent were married, and 41.3% had secondary school education. More respondents (67.5%) had adolescent daughters than sons (66.2%). Almost all the respondents (98.4%) had heard about HIV/AIDS, but 41.5% believed mosquito bites could transmit HIV infection. There was a significant difference between respondents who perceived adolescents to be at risk of HIV infection than who do not (p=<0.05). A greater number of respondents (37.1%) believed that boys were more vulnerable to HIV infection than girls (p=<0 05). Virtually all respondents (97.2%) had discussed HIV/AIDS issues with their adolescent children. Slightly more respondents (97.9%) had discussed HIV/AIDS issues with adolescent sons than daughters (96.4%). Almost all the respondents (96.2%) cited the mass media as the major influencing factor for discussing HIV/AIDS with adolescents. Vulnerability of daughters and outset of menstruation were major factors influencing discussion with daughters. Some of the issues discussed with both sons and daughters were educational success, peer influence, decent dressing to avoid early exposure to sex, condom use, and avoiding sex with multiple partners. However, findings from the FGD showed that a two-way flow of communication was not common amongst the respondent!. Most of the discussions were in the forms of advice, caution and counselling. Time constrains, immaturity of adolescents, and lack of knowledge on HIV/AIDS issues were hindrances to mothers initiating HIV/AIDS discussions with adolescents. These findings suggest that mothers communicate HIV/AIDS with adolescents. However, the communication was more of comments than interactive discussions. There is a strong need to organize awareness campaign for mothers that will effectively equip them with adequate parent-adolescent communication skils.