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
MALE AND FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE OF AIDS IN ILORIN SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE
