ABSTRACT

This study investigated male and female secondary schools students knowledge of AIDS in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The instrument that was used for the study was a questionnaire tagged, Male and Female Secondary Schools Students knowledge of Aids which was distributed to the students.

          Two hundred respondents were randomly selected to participation in the study Data collected were analysed using frequency count percent t-test statistical method to test the formulated hypotheses.       

However, result revealed that variables like sex, age, and religion have no significant differences on respondents’ knowledge of Aids.

          Based on these findings some recommendations like seminar and public awareness to the male and female secondary schools students’ knowledge of AIDS and Comprehensive Counselling Programme in Secondary Schools were suggested.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE                                                             i

CERTIFICATION                                                       ii

DEDICATION                                                           iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS                                          iv

ABSTRACT                                                               vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                             vii

LIST OF TABLES                                                      x

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study                                                 1

Statement of the Problem                                        7

Purpose of the Study                                                       8

Research Questions                                                 9

Research Hypotheses                                               10

Scope of the Study                                                   11

Operational Definition of Terms                               11

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction                                                             13

Definitions, Nature and Causes of Aids                   13

Signs and Symptoms of Aids                                   18

Prevention and Control of Aids                                        24

Knowledge and Attitude towards Aids                      26

General Impact of Aids                                             29

Appraisal of the Literature Review                           31

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHOD

Introduction                                                             33

Research Design                                                      33

Population of the Study                                           34

Sample and Sampling Technique                            34

Instrumentation                                                       35

Validity of the Instrument                                        36

Reliability of the Instrument                                    36

Procedure for Data Collection                                  37

Method of Data Analysis                                          37

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction                                                             38

Results                                                                    38

Hypotheses Testing                                                  40

Discussion of Findings                                            44

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary                                                                 47

Conclusion                                                              48

Recommendations                                                   49

References                                                               50

Appendix                                                                        

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:    Distribution of Sample by Sex                 38

Table 2:    Distribution of Sample by Age Group       39

Table 3:    Distribution of Samples by Parental Education        39

Table 4:    Distribution of Samples by Religions               40

Table 5:    t-test Analysis Comparing Student by Sex                   40

Table 6:    t-test comparing young and Old Students Responses       41

Table 7:    t-test Analysis Comparing Student by Parents Education           42

Table 8:    test Analysis Comparing Samples by Religions                          43

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

        The growing rate of sexual permissiveness among male and female secondary school students is increasingly becoming alarming. This is done without cognizance of the problems raised by AIDS, which is targeted more the youth who are in their productive stage than any other group. Adelaja (1988) asserted that modern Nigeria Youth discussed sex freely. She noted that in the past, people pretended as if sex does not exist by placing some taboos on it, whereas, youth now behave as if nothing else exist except sex.

        The result of premarital extra marital and uncontrolled sexual activities can be noticed in teenage pregnancies and drop out illegal abortion and dumping of unwanted babies. He noted that different forms of sexual observations among Nigerian youths are demonstrated by illegitimate sexual exploitation including rape. Onwuamaman (1984) then described the present time as a period of sex explosion in which the youth including secondary school students are enjoying unprecedented “sex boom and sex permissiveness” which is dangerous to them.

        According to Olatunji (2002) students got exposed to Southern styles of life and engaged in premarital sexual affairs which they regard as a mark of civilization. Thus, they copy the sexual activities through pornographic, imported films, books; magazine and television without a proper sense of direction. Olatunji (2002) also asserted that the advent of contraceptives added to the increasing pressure on female youth to be more active about sexual relationship.

        The knowledge of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as a disease, a medical condition and a health problem is widespread through the world. It is a threat to social and economic development to people in their productive phases of their lives, to family, to mothers, their children and therefore world population, (World Health Organization (WHO, 1988). According to Mather (1988), AIDS spreads silently and widely before anyone is aware of it. This is because people’s knowledge of the origin and causes of AIDS changes as fast as the information can be communicated. (Adeboye 2005).

        Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV – the AIDS Virus. Our understanding of the origins and causes of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) changes as fast as the information can be communicated, so it is quite necessary for a thorough review of the knowledge gained so far.

        At present all over the world, AIDS is now feared to have claimed the lives of whole communities (Mann 1988). The result of a study presented to the Health Assembly of World Health Organization, (1989), stated that the cumulative total of people may become HIV infected during the 1990s, than were infected in the 1980s (WHO currently estimates that from five to ten million persons world wide were infected with HIV by 1988) over five million new cases of AIDS was estimated to develop between 1990 and the year 2000. according to the same report, this projection suggest very strongly that the HIV/AIDS, situation during the decade of 1990s will be much worse than what was experienced during the 1980s.

        AIDS according to the Centre for Disease Control is caused by a virus that preferentially destroys certain white blood cells that are essential for the functioning of the body’s immune system (Ishiaku 1994). Its mode of action is to hit below the belt, attacking peoples basic immunity defence apparatus against infection. The virus, according to Jimoh (1991), is transmitted mostly through homosexual or hetero sexual contact. It can also be transmitted through the use of contaminated blood transfusion and the use of other blood related products (Akintoye, 1991). Another mode of transmission is through the use of unsterilized needles or infected instruments coming in contact with one’s blood and infected mother to her child before, during and after birth.

        After a person is infected with the virus, it reproduces itself and infects other cells. Within three to eight weeks after infection, the infected individual develops an illness like influenza that might last for a week or so. From then on, the infected person remains a symptomatic for weeks, month, or even years (WHO Chronicle 1985). Opportunistic infection begins to set in as the body defences finally collapse and patient eventually dies a slow and very painful death.

        According to Mac Sweeney (1991), the long and silent carrier stage is why many people are slow to recognize the seriousness of the AIDS problem that is quietly developing. It is also stated that for every known case of AIDS, there are 50 to 100 seropositive carriers. So a person infected with HIV may have no signs or symptoms for months or years but may still carry and pass the virus to others without knowing it. At present there is no known cure for AIDS and no vaccine to prevent it, but the search continues major research efforts are under way to identify potentially useful antiviral agents. Among those discovered so far according to Hltz (1992) are Suramin, Ribavirin, Fescarnet, HPA 23, Infamycia, Interferon, and Zidovudine (AZT). A recent trial with AZT among AIDS patients found that it prolonged life, there were however, side effects including bone marrow suppression. Apart from the fact that it does not cure it, it is very expensive as well.

        Since there is no known cure, Shaffa (1992), gave a list of things to do to be AIDS free. They include:

• Avoiding anal or vaginal sex with an infected partner or person.
• Maintaining sexual relationship with one healthy and faithful partner.
• Using a condom if one must have causal sex relations. Avoiding the use of unsterilized injection needles, surgical or skin piercing instruments.
• Avoiding patronizing quack doctors for injections.
• Avoiding sharing blades when a blade bleeding has occurred like in barbing saloon.
• Avoiding sharing toothbrushes as bleeding gums can help spread infections.

Statement of the Problem