P3.390 Factors Predicting Attitude of First Year University Students towards STI and HIV in Ogun State,Nigeria

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are global problems and currently over 100 million STIs occur each year in people within the 15–24 age bracket. Young people between ages 15 and 24 also account for more than fifty (50) percent of all HIV infections throughout the worl

Attitude of Counsellors towards undergoing HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing in Ado-Odo/Ota, Nigeria

This study was an investigation into the attitude of counsellors who offer HIV pre and post counselling. Sixteen counsellors who offer HIV pre-post-test counselling were identified from the preliminary field work, of these, 9 counsellors who reported they had not presented for HIV/AIDS testing were identified and 7 eventually participated in the study. The participants were active counsellors, 27 through 46 years of age, who provided HIV pre-post-test counselling services. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the participants. The non-scheduled structured interview was employed for data collection while the cross case method was used to analyze the data. The study found that the participants possessed negative attitude towards undergoing voluntary HIV/AIDS testing though they acknowledged the importance of HIV/AIDS test. The participants identified fear of being HIV/AIDS positive, lack of confidentiality and knowledge of HIV/AIDS as barriers to their undergoing HIV/AIDS test. Being counselled by a professional counsellor/ psychologist or someone living with HIV/AIDS, feeling too sick or being pregnant were highlighted as factors that may facilitate their undergoing HIV/AIDS test. It was also found that HIV/AIDS counsellors are as vulnerable to HIV/AIDS as the general population. Counsellors who by their training or job schedule encourage others to undergo HIV test were themselves unwilling to test for HIV. In conclusion, counsellors are advised to undergo voluntary HIV/AIDS test. Key words: HIV/AIDS counsellors, attitude, HIV/AIDS VCT, interview, confidentiality

Prevalence and Patterns of Gender Violence: Major Variables in the Exposure to HIV/AIDS among Women in Nigeria

This study was carried out among 183 women in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. The study was designed to examine prevalence and patterns of gender violence and its relationship with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS among women. Four research questions and two hypotheses were raised. Frequency counts and percentages, Pearson’s r and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. The results show that cultural belief, traditional values and superstitions were responsible for acts of violence against women in Nigeria. Others are non-assertiveness and fear of marriage breakup. The study revealed that the most prevalent form of violence against women is physical (78%), closely followed by sexual violence (42%). Polygyny (78%) and cultural belief, traditional values and superstitions (75%) were responsible for the exposure of women to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. The first hypothesis which states that there will be a significant difference in the perception of gender violence based on type of occupation was accepted and the second which states that there is a significant relationship between prevalence of gender violence and exposure to HIV/AIDS was also accepted. To curb the incidence of gender violence, the study highlighted the need for cultural reorientation, socialization, assertiveness training and legislation. The position of this paper is that violence in all its ramifications is unacceptable, that no Nigerian woman deserves to be physically battered, deprived of sex (as punishment), forced into coitus, or made to suffer psychologically. Key Words: Gender Violence, Exposure to HIV/AIDS, Culture, polygamy and Women

Attitude and Knowledge of First Year University Students towards Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (STI/HIV) in Ogun State, Nigeria

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are global problems and currently over 100 million STIs occur each year in people within the 15-24 age bracket. Young people between ages 15 and 24 also account for more than fifty (50) percent of all HIV infections throughout the world. A survey research questionnaire made up of three trajectories including sexual behaviour scale, attitude towards STI/HIV/AIDS scale and knowledge of STI/HIV/AIDS scale was used in this study (n= 226, mean=18.3years). The study made use of frequency counts, percentage and regression analysis. The study indicates a fairly high knowledge level of STI/HIV (89.4%) with more males (87%) and younger participants (88%) possessing good knowledge of STI/HIV. Majority of the participants are sexually active (63.3%) and of this are more males (61.3%) and younger participants (15-19 years, 60%). Findings show that age (β = 0.025; t = 0.04; p > 0.05) was not a predictor of attitude towards STI/ HIV. However, knowledge of STI/HIV (β = 0.459; t = 5.032; p < 0.05) and sexual behaviour (β = 0.341; t = 4.278; p < 0.05) were strong predictors of attitude towards STI/HIV. This study shows the need for strong advocacy, enlightenment and community mobilization for improved awareness of STI/HIV. Local, community and religious leaders, including youth leaders should be incorporated into the drive to increase awareness and knowledge of STI/HIV/AIDS among young people in Nigeri

Teachers Social Feedback on Test Performance of Primary School Pupils

This study investigated the effect of teachers’ social feedback on test performance of pupils. The study adopted the between-subject experimental design. Social feedback perception scale (SFPS) was designed and employed to measure the effect of teacher’s social feedback on the participants. Participants age ranges between 7 and 10 years (average age = 8.17 years). There were eight male and ten female pupils randomly selected from a private primary school in Ota, Ogun State. The odd-even number separation method was employed to place the participants into either the experimental or control groups. Two hypotheses were formulated for the study. The study found a significant effect of teachers social feedback on students’ perception (U = 33.500, N1 = 9, N2 = 9, p< 0.05, one-tailed) and a significant difference in perception of teachers social feedback among pupils based on gender (U = 27.571, N1 = 8, N2 = 10, p< 0.05, one-tailed). Both hypotheses were accepted. Consequent upon these findings, teachers are encouraged to use social feedback as it has a positive effect on pupil’s test performanc

Attribution Patterns, Attitude and Knowledge of HIV/AIDS on Sexual Behavioural Change Among Students of Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Sexual behavioural change is central to HIV/AIDS control programme. This study was carried out among students (n = 603; average age = 18.9) of Covenant University, Nigeria. The study was designed to examine the impact of attribution patterns, attitude and knowledge of HIV/AIDS on sexual behavioural change. Three hypotheses were raised. Regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s r were used to analyze the data. The results show that attribution patterns and attitude towards HIV did not influence sexual behavioural change. In effect, knowledge of HIV was the best predictor of sexual behavioural change of respondents. The study also revealed that there was a significant effect of gender on sexual behavioural change of respondents while there was no significant effect of age. Another result shows that there was a strong correlation between perceived benefits and all the other variables. Fourteen percent (14%) of the respondents are sexually active, 520 or 86% indicated they are not sexually active. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of the respondents do not know of anyone who is HIV positive or died from AIDS while 11% knows someone who is HIV positive or had died from AIDS related complications. This study shows that young people using the perceived benefits variable in the Health Belief Model (HBM) coupled with adequate knowledge of HIV knowledge have the power and ability to change their risky sexual behaviour. Key words: Attribution patterns, Attitude, Knowledge, HIV/AIDS, Students, Young people, Perceived benefits and Sexual behavioural change

Adolescents and the HIV Pandemic

This study highlighted the importance of counselling adolescents on HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The study presents an overview of the dreaded disease-AIDS, which is a condition that is associated with infection of the immune system. Adolescents are the target group of this paper because they are the most vulnerable. It is evidenced that sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are on the increase and so is unplanned pregnancy among adolescents. The problem affects all aspects of life of the adolescents (i.e. social, economic, religious and educational). Also, the spread of the disease is very rapid among adolescents and hence, they are at the center of the epidemic. It is highly incontrovertible that prevention is better than cure. Hence, counselling is required to reduce the high incidence of HIV/AIDS among our adolescents. AIDS is a disease that once an adolescent (or any other person) contacts it, it is a contract for life

Psycho-Cultural Variables Predicting Attitude of Students’ towards HIV Counselling and Testing in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The aim of the present study was to assess attitude of young people (n=287, mean=20.5 years) towards testing for HIV/AIDS. The participants completed a standard socio-demographic questionnaire, indicating sexual behaviour, cultural beliefs and practices, attitude to HCT, and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 alpha level were used to analyze the data. The study indicates that most participants have poor knowledge of HCT centres in their communities, but had a fairly high knowledge level of HIV. The findings of this study include that there is a significant difference in the disposition to HCT between respondents who have experienced sexual intercourse and those who have not (t = 3.866, df = 285: p<0.05) and between male and female respondents (t = 4.775, df = 285; p< 0.05). The study also shows that knowledge of HIV/AIDS was the strongest predictor of attitude of young people towards HCT ( = 0.547; t = 3.458 p<0.05), closely followed by cultural practices ( = 0.324; t = 2.740 p<0.05) while sexual behaviour was not a strong predictor ( = 0.041; t = 0.543 p>0.05). The present study challenged the adequacy of reproductive health knowledge available to Nigerian students and based on the findings in this study, it was recommended that young people should be sufficiently enlightened and counselled on the imperative of HIV counselling and testing. Keywords: HIV counselling and testing (HCT), young people, attitude, knowledge of HIV/AID

PSYCHO-CULTURAL VARIABLES PREDICTING ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS’ TOWARDS HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING IN SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

The aim of the present study was to assess attitude of young people (n=287, mean=20.5 years) towards testing for HIV/AIDS. The participants completed a standard socio-demographic questionnaire, indicating sexual behaviour, cultural beliefs and practices, attitude to HCT, and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 alpha level were used to analyze the data. The study indicates that most participants have poor knowledge of HCT centres in their communities, but had a fairly high knowledge level of HIV. The findings of this study include that there is a significant difference in the disposition to HCT between respondents who have experienced sexual intercourse and those who have not (t = 3.866, df = 285: p0.05). The present study challenged the adequacy of reproductive health knowledge available to Nigerian students and based on the findings in this study, it was recommended that young people should be sufficiently enlightened and counselled on the imperative of HIV counselling and testing

Effects of Motivation on Test Performance of First Year Covenant University Students

This study examined the effect of motivation on test performance of first year Covenant University students, Ota, Ogun State. The study adopted pre-test, post-test experimental design. Data for the study were obtained from sixty (60) students with age range between 15 and 18 years (average age = 16.5 years). Participants were randomly assigned to three conditions using independent group design. The independent and dependent variables were motivation and test performance respectively. The two hypotheses were analysed using Mann- Whitney U test. The result shows a significant difference between the result of the unrewarded students in the control group and students rewarded with verbal praise in the experimental group (U = 61.000, N1 = 20, N2 = 20, p< 0.05, one-tailed). There was also a significant difference between the result of the students rewarded with primary reinforcers and the unrewarded students in the control group (U = 45.000, N1 = 20, N2 = 20, p< 0.05, one-tailed). This study justifies the importance of motivation on test performance. To improve students’ academic performance, teachers are encouraged to motivate their students. Key words: Teachers, motivation, test performance, Ot