Impact Of Health Education On Secondary School Students\' Knowledge Of Hiv/Aids And Their Attitude Towards People Living With Hiv/Aids In Jos, Nigeria

HIV/AIDS continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. There were approximately 37.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) at the end of 2018. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life among people with HIV infection. Aims: The study was conducted to improve the knowledge and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among PLHIV in Enugu state, southeast Nigeria. Study Design: Interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: Anti-retroviral Therapy clinics within Enugu metropolis in Enugu state Nigeria between June to December 2018. Methodology: A health education intervention was carried out among 312 PLHIV receiving ART in Enugu metropolis to improve their perception and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 312 PLHIV (156 each in the study and control groups), who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted among the study group. Three months after this intervention its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaires employed in the baseline survey. Results: The most frequently occurring reason given by the respondents for poor adherence to ART was forgetfulness (65.4% for study and 69.9% for control groups). Knowledge of the factors and consequences of poor adherence to treatment was significantly higher among the study group than the controls post-interventions p<0.001. Adherence to ART improved from 42.3% pre-intervention to 81.4% post-intervention. Conclusion: Intensive health education effectively improved adherence to ART among persons living with HIV/AIDS and this should be carried out regularly.

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The Influence of Parenting Style and Parent Educational Level on Perception of HIV/AIDS Pandemic among Secondary School Students in Calabar Educatioin Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria

Journal of Psychology & Behavior Research ◽

10.22158/jpbr.v3n4p26 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. p26

Author(s):

Akpan, Emmanuel Mendie ◽

Ntu N. Nkomo

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Parenting Style ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Educational Level ◽

Secondary School Students ◽

School Students ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Aids Pandemic ◽

Parental Educational Level ◽

Hiv Aids

The study sought to determine the extent to which parenting style and parental educational level influence perception of HIV/AIDS pandemic among secondary school students in Calabar Education Zone. Ever since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, concerted efforts have been made by international bodies, agencies, the government etc., to curb the scourge of the malignant virus. This effort has made many to know the potential threat the epidemic possess to human existence. However, in spite of these efforts, many students still perceive HIV/AIDS as a mirage that does not exist. Perception of HIV/AIDS refers to the amount of knowledge about causes, mode of transmission, prevention and treatment, possessed (especially intuitive), on HIV/AIDS. The main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of parenting style and educational level on perception of HIV/AIDS pandemic among secondary school students in Calabar Education Zone. The population of this study comprised of all the SS1, 2 & 3 Students and 1,200 students randomly selected as sample for this study. Data collection instrument was a facts finding questionnaire titled family variables and students perception of HIV/AIDS’ (FVSPA). The major findings were that; parenting style has significant influence on students’ perception of HIV/AIDs. Parental educational level has significant influence on students’ perception of HIV/AIDs. It was recommended that the school management in collaboration with the school guidance counsellors should frequently use forums such as PTA’s to organize trainings in order to sensitize parents on the adoption of most appropriate style of parenting for their children.

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