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Vol.1 , No. 4, Publication Date: Jul. 28, 2014, Page: 127-139
 AIDS became the leading cause of death among youths between the ages 25-44 years. The study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and risk perception among students in Owerri West Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 400 students using a validated, self administered questionnaire as a research instrument. The questionnaire included assessment on level of knowledge, attitude, perception, risky behavior and HIV/AIDS preventive measures. A random sampling technique was used to select the respondents used as sample for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. The results obtained indicated that students have good knowledge on HIV/AIDS, causes and mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, risky behaviors, perception and preventive measures. About 87.5% of the respondents are aware of the disease HIV/AIDS while not aware had 12.5%. From the result, 70% of the students know that HIV is a viral disease while 75% has the knowledge that it can be passed from one person to another All had high significant difference at p≤0.01 probability level. In conclusion, there is need to focus on preventive measures which can be achieved through proper AIDS education. Parents and teachers should encourage students to imbibe the spirit of abstinence with regards to sex.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/902.jpg)
| [1] | Nwaokoro Joakin C., Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. P M B 1526. Nigeria. |
| [2] | Ede Alison O., Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. P M B 1526. Nigeria. |
| [3] | Ibe Sally N.O., Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. P M B 1526. Nigeria. |
| [4] | Emerole Chima O., Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. P M B 1526. Nigeria. |
| [5] | Nwufo Regina C., Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. P M B 1526. Nigeria. |
| [6] | Nwaokoro Amaka A., Department of Servicom, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. Nigeria. |
| [7] | Nwakamma G. I., Department of Optometry, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri. Imo State. Nigeria. |
HIV/AIDS is recognized as a worldwide disease and the most notorious and serious global epidemics of our generation. According to National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) AIDS became the leading cause of death among youths between the ages 25-44 years. The study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and risk perception among students in Owerri West Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 400 students using a validated, self administered questionnaire as a research instrument. The questionnaire included assessment on level of knowledge, attitude, perception, risky behavior and HIV/AIDS preventive measures. A random sampling technique was used to select the respondents used as sample for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. The results obtained indicated that students have good knowledge on HIV/AIDS, causes and mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, risky behaviors, perception and preventive measures. About 87.5% of the respondents are aware of the disease HIV/AIDS while not aware had 12.5%. From the result, 70% of the students know that HIV is a viral disease while 75% has the knowledge that it can be passed from one person to another All had high significant difference at p≤0.01 probability level. In conclusion, there is need to focus on preventive measures which can be achieved through proper AIDS education. Parents and teachers should encourage students to imbibe the spirit of abstinence with regards to sex.
Keywords
Human Deficiency Viruses (HIV), Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Perception and Prevention
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