Abstract

This study was carried out in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The purpose of this study sex education as a valuable tool in reducing the transmission of HIV/Aids among secondary school students. The purpose of carrying out this study is to identify those problems associated with sex education and why parents and teachers are skeptic in discussing sexual matters with the youths. The population of the study was drawn from teachers and students in senior secondary schools in Ivo L.G.A. To carry out this the research made use of structural questionnaire for data collection, questionnaires were distributed to this population to sample their opinion. Aer analyzing the opinions of the respondents, the findings showed that the mass media have done a great deal in educating youths about sex and sexual behaviours that are right, that indulge in sex through seminars and workshops been organize to that eect and that traditional practice should encourage parents to advise the young ones on how to go about their sexual behaviour and that discussing sexual issues carried out on the eect of pornographic film on the youths.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The issue of sex education as a tool for reducing HIV/Aids among secondary school students in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi state has been of concern in the Local Government. Sex education is most appropriate for our time when the world at large and our society in particular has lost grip with the true knowledge and values for her sexuality. Sex! This three-letter word connotes dierent things to dierent people. Sex and sexual symbols abound in our society. One can find sexually explicit information or images in the movies, book, television shows, on-line programmes, etc. Alters and Schi, (1997). This allimportant issue is no more treated with respect; it used to be accorded in the past. For instance, if one take a look at magazines or pictures, one will find attractive young men and women in advertisement for clothes, perfumes, soap, among others. This gives the impression that whether their product is a clothes, perfumes or soap. Advertisers and promoters know that “sex sells”.

The term sex refers to one’s gender, male or female as well as to sexual intercourse and certain intimate activities that involve the Alters and Schi, (1997). HIV stands for Human Immune Deficiency Virus. It is a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life threatening opportunistic infections. According to W.H.O (1999). HIV infection in humans is considered pandemic and complacency about HIV may play a key role in HIV risk. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculation, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission from infected mother to her baby at birth. On the other hand, AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a disease of the human immune system caused by HIV. According to Fawole, (1999) AIDS are primarily the result of conditions that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. Most of these conditions are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that are normally controlled by the elements of immune system that HIV damages. People with AIDS also have an increased risk of developing various cancers. Aids is a diagnosis given to a collection of certain symptoms and illnesses which shows that the body’s immune system has been severely damaged by HIV. According to Davise (2001) the immunity of people living with HIV declines progressively, they are aected by condition that further weigh them down. People living with HIV and AIDS can experience dierent kinds of chronic pains and discomfort. The epidemic makes the people living with the virus to have physical, emotional, social and psychological pains. Some degree of mental confusion is common among those living with HIV/AIDS Nwolise (2001). This may be caused by infection of the brain with the illness. People living with HIV/Aids are unable to think clearly. Asuzu (2005) states that laceration arising from sexual transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea and syphilis allows HIV to enter the body more easily during sex with a HIV positive person. The presence of STIs increases the risk of transmission of HIV. HIV can also be transmitted during oral sex in relatively rare cases where there are sores in the mouth and on genitals. The term sex education is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. Sex education is also about developing young people’s skill so that they make informed choices about their behaviours and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices Irvin (2000).

According to Nwolise (2004), there is high incidence of sex related ills in our society today especially among the youths. These ills include unwanted pregnancies, high incidence of venereal disease, high rate of divorce, rape, abortion, sex deviation such as homosexuality and lesbianism. Sexually transmitted diseases are more prevalent among young people between the ages of 15-29 years Weiner (2004). Sexuality education helps prepare young people to make good choices as they transit to adulthood. Organized education about sex and HIV/Aids can take place in schools, in out-of-school and faith-based programs, in programs of parents, and through peer education activities. Olayinka (1999) stated that sex education is designed to give correct and adequate factual information and understanding of problems of sex such as its development, function and expression. It enables young people to develop skills, as it can be hard for them to action the basis of only having in formation. The skills young people develop as part of sex education are linked to more general life-skills. The useful life-skill are being able to communicate, listen, negotiate, ask for and identify sources of help and advice. Sex education is providing individuals with the knowledge necessary to liberate themselves from socially organized sexual oppression and to make-up their own mind Wihelm (008).