Knowledge, Perception And Attitude Of Secondary School Students Towards Reducing Hiv/Aids
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Knowledge, Perception And Attitude Of Secondary School Students Towards Reducing Hiv/Aids
Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study
Adolescents have a proclivity for high-risk sexual and drug use, and due to a lack of health-seeking behaviour, they continue to account for the majority of new HIV cases recorded in Nigeria and across Africa.
The adolescent period is a vulnerable period in which internal conflict caused by hormonal changes, peer group influence, and the attitudes and practices of significant adults in their lives such as teachers and parents
societal pressure, norms and values, and economic situations all contribute to shaping the character and behavioural patterns that are carried into adulthood (Fernadez, Figueroa, Gomez, Maysonet, Olivares, and Hunter, 2008).
They are a high-risk category because they are more likely to participate in risky sexual and drug use activity, have lower perceptions of susceptibility to disease, and frequently deny the possibility of infection;
and have less understanding of AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. Unfortunately, because of their poor health-seeking behaviour, individuals are less likely to seek medical care or counselling.
As a result, they continue to have the largest number of new HIV cases reported in Africa, with around 50%, or 7000 young people aged 15-24 years, infected each day, and 10 million people aged 13-24 years infected globally over the last decade (WHO, 2002).
The level of accurate knowledge adolescents have about the cause and nature of HIV/AIDS, the methods of transmission, and the preventive measures will have a significant impact on their attitude towards the disease entity and people living with it, as well as a change in their sexual behaviours in favour of abstinence or, at the very least, less unsafe sex.
Unfortunately, research has shown that adolescents’ understanding of AIDS varies around the world. Even when there appears to be a high degree of awareness of AIDS, deeper examination reveals that this knowledge is frequently erroneous, and most teenagers lack the skills and knowledge to protect themselves against AIDS (Fawole, Asuzu, Oduntan, & Brieger, 1999). A healthy attitude towards AIDS has been observed in students who are aware of HIV and AIDS (Lau and Lee, 2010).
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can be described as a modern epidemic that affects both industrialised and poor countries. Since the first documented occurrence in June 1981, much has been accomplished.
AIDS was first recognised as an emerging disease in the early 1980s, but it has quickly spread over the world and is expected to last well into the twenty-first century. AIDS has progressed from an obscure illness to a global pandemic that has infected tens of millions in less than two decades.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a significant impact in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to latest WHO estimates, the number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS globally was around 4.3 million at the end of 2001, with Africa accounting for 28 million persons
primarily women and children. In 2004, alone, more than 3.4 million new infections were detected, with an estimated 2.4 million Africans dying from the disease (WHO, 2004).
Every year, more than 5 million new people become infected with HIV/AIDS. Human development achievements accumulated over decades have been erased in a few of years in the worst-affected countries. In the absence of a vaccine to treat HIV/AIDS, there is a need for research into preventive measures among risk groups. UNAIDS/WHO, 2002.
Globally, 15,000 new infections occur everyday, with 5,500 people dying from AIDS in Africa each day. Four of the five countries with the highest number of AIDS cases are in Africa, with Nigeria having the continent’s second highest number (Ejembi 2001).
In 2005, about five million new HIV infections were reported worldwide, with 3,200,000 occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. In the same year, three million people died from AIDS-related infections, including over half a million (570,000) children.
Today, there are 40.3 million people living with HIV, which is treble the figure (19.9 million) in 1995. Despite progress in a small but growing number of nations, the AIDS epidemic outpaces worldwide attempts to limit it. (WHO, 2005).
Women are at least four times more sensitive to HIV infection than men, and untreated STI is a risk factor. In addition, coercive sex raises the chance of micro lesions.
Economic, financial, or material dependency on males means that women have little control over when, with whom, or under what conditions they have sex.
Many women must exchange sex for material favours in order to survive on a daily basis. There is formal sex work, but there is also this trade, which is often the only means for women to support themselves and their children in impoverished communities.
Women are not expected to discuss or make sexual decisions, and they cannot request, let alone insist on, the use of a condom or any other form of protection. If they decline sex or require condom use, they are more likely to be abused because infidelity is suspected.
Because of the various types of violence against women, intercourse is sometimes compelled, increasing the risk of HIV infection. Multiple partners (including sex workers) are culturally acceptable among both married and single males.
Women are expected to have relationships with or with multiple older males, who are more experienced and more likely to be infected. Men are seeking younger and younger partners in order to avoid infection, and they believe that sex with a virgin cures AIDS and other diseases. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by a mix of causes, all of which are initiated by HIV infection.
HIV is a retrovirus that preferentially infects CD4+ immune cells. It is transmitted through body fluids such as blood and blood products, sperm, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and saliva.
Infection occurs as a result of any activity that causes contaminated fluid to enter the body of a healthy individual. Sexual intercourse (whether heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or oral sex), unscreened blood transfusion, and vertical transmission from an infected mother to her infant during birth and breast-feeding are all examples of such practices.
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