Male Adolescents’ Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes Towards HIV/AIDs Prevention
CHAPTERS ONE
Objectives of the Study
The following stated objectives of the study are to determine:
- Various levels of academics concerning student’s knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS.
- The difference between married and unmarried students students on the level of knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS.
- The relationship of socio-economic status of students and their knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS.
- Gender difference on students’ knowledge, attitude and belief towards HIV/AIDS.
- Knowledge, attitude and belief of students’ resident on campus and outside campus concerning HIV/AIDS.
- Students’ from different institution; in knowledge, attitude and belief towards HIV/AIDS.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
This chapter focuses on the aims and objectives for which this study is being conducted.
Historical Background of HIV/AIDS
The Acquired Immune-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a fundamental problem, a cosmopolitan, transcontinental and therefore qualifies as a pandemic. There is no nation, community or society without HIV/AIDS. It flourishes everywhere on this planet earth. These days, the epidemic has been a topical subject, where it originated is yet to be established, particularly where and when the pandemic began. The targeted populations are youths that are leaving in a smaller community into larger societies that could be agent of transmission of the disease. They are to be observed, studied, understood, educated and guided to become responsible adults. They are the nation’s richest resources and guardians of our society into the future. Nevertheless, moral laxity in our society today, particularly among the youths poses a great danger to the nation. The moral laxity that our youths are exposed to makes them potential victim of the disease AIDS. AIDS has devastated the social and economic fabric of African societies and has made many youths an orphan. Although, donor agencies initially viewed the plight of these orphans as a short-term humanitarian disaster, they now acknowledge the long-term social consequences of African youths growing up without parental love and guidance. These youths form a large group of dysfunctional adults that could further destabilize societies already weakened by AIDS.
Despite the evidence that prevention programs are carried out in most parts of the world, the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow. By 2005, the number of those infected had grown to more than 40 million, double in 1995, with Africa accounting for more than 60 percent of the cumulative cases of HIV/AIDS infection worldwide (UNAIDS, 2005). Some researchers even believed that the youths are mostly infected in most parts of the world and that the situations at any time vary between regions and countries as well as within countries, states, provinces and districts. This is why it is important to carry out a research on the knowledge, attitude and belief of undergraduate youths toward the pandemic.
Again, the sexually active members of the population usually undertake heterosexual relations. In this case, young adults or youths are more involved in heterosexual relations than other members of the population’. Hence, this group becomes the ideal target of any AIDS prevention programmed. Moreover, one setting where this target group of young adults can be located is at the tertiary institutions.
The impact of HIV/AIDS is still not fully understood, particularly when the long term is considered. The epidemics come in successive waves. With the first wave being HIV infection, followed several years later by a wave of opportunistic diseases, and later still by a wave of AIDS illness and then death. The final wave affects societies and economies at various levels, from the families and community to the national and international levels.
According to Gordon and Klauda (1988) who stated that the earliest presumed cases of Human Immune Deficiency Virus was discovered in the blood tissue of a boy in United State of America who died in 1969 of illness which suggested immune deficiency. His store blood and tissue were found to contain anti-bodies to Human immune deficiency virus.
Another related study by freelance journalist, Curtis, 1992 in (Shabu, 1997), put forward the theory that AIDS was inadvertently caused in the late 1950’s in the Belgian Congo by Hilary’s researched on polio vaccine. Although subsequently retracted due to libel issues surrounding its claims. Again, the Rolling stone article encouraged another freelance journalist, Hooper, 1959 in (Shabu, 1997), in his own study on polio vaccine stated that HIV was discovered in the virus of chimpanzee, which was conducted in Africa. From Hooper’s experiment, it is believed that HIV/AIDS originated from Africa, that an experimental oral polio vaccine prepared using chimpanzee kidney tissue was the route through which SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) mutated into HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and started the human AIDS epidemic. Although, HIV/AIDS was first recognized by scientists in the 1980s, it is thought to have first entered the human population early in the 20th Century in the region of Democratic Republic of Congo.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction:
This chapter describes and discusses the method involved in the study, the research design, population of the study, sample and sampling procedures used. The chapter also discusses the instrument, validity of the questionnaire, reliability, pilot study, data collection as well as data analysis and the statistical tools involved.
Research Design
To carry out this study, the survey research design was adopted. It was adopted due to its ability to study small and large population group or groups of people. Its ability to determine the status of a given phenomenon also accounts for its applicability to this study. The obvious thing about survey is that it focuses on people, their belief, opinions, attitudes, motivations, and behaviour. It is embracive and practical in nature.
This method involves gathering data about the target population from a sample and generalizing the findings obtained from an analysis of the entire population. Afolabi, 1993 cited in Shabu, (1997), supports this approach because survey researches study large and small population, which enables the researcher to discover relative incidence and distribution on the characteristics of the population. Also, Nwanga, 1991 cited in Mohammed (2001) said a survey research method is the one in which a group of people or items are studied by collecting and analyzing data from only few people or items considered to be representatives of the entire population. Therefore, with the application of survey method to this study, the knowledge, attitude and belief of students toward HIV/AIDS that involve seeking personals opinion can be thoroughly investigated.
Population of the Study
The target population for this research consists of the male adolescents in Elembelle community.
The rationale behind restricting the population to male adolescents is because they are more susceptible to the pandemic. This is the stage in which many youths want to expose themselves sexually without adequate knowledge of the effects of having contacting HIV/AIDS.
The number of villages is three with a total population of forty seven thousand (47,000) but it will not be possible to include all the population here in the study.
Samples and Sampling Procedure
To determine the sample size, simple randomization sampling technique was used to get the sample for this study. Roscoe (1969) recommendation for sampling procedure of five hundred (500) was adopted. Therefore, out of a population of forty- seven (47,000) in the selected households in Elembelle community is five hundred (500) was taken. Random sampling method was used in selecting the respondents from the selected villages. The sample size was distributed among those involved in the study. A ratio scale method was used in allocating the sample size to each village. This is necessary, since it gives every member in the population an equal opportunity of being selected.
Out of a population of 47,000 in the selected villages, 500 was taken, this is in line with Roscoe, 1969 cited in Mamman, (2004) who suggested that 500 respondents as the sample size, no matter how large is the population.
Instrumentation
The instrument used in this study is questionnaire for students. The questionnaire intends to seek information on the basic characteristics that is reflected on the variables being tested. The questionnaire, titled Knowledge, Attitude and Belief Questionnaire (KABQ) was adopted from Shabu, 1997 and modified by the researcher. Each section contains proportional items that answer the questions raised. The questions are rated on a five point Licker scale of:
1 SD = Strongly Disagree
2 DA = Disagree
3 NS = Not sure
4 A = Agree
5 SA = Strongly Agree
The items in the questionnaire were generated through a review of previous studies. In scoring the items related to each of the five point Licker scale, respondent’s will have a possible total score ranging from 1 to 5 which represent a respondent’s opinion. The higher the score the more influenced the respondent is by the scale.
The structured questionnaires were divided into five sections of:
Section A. Personal data
Section B. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS Section C. Attitude towards HIV/AIDS Section D. Socio-economy status Section E. Belief about HIV/AIDS
The questionnaire method makes it more effective to administer and score. It also has the advantage of collecting objective and reliable information from respondent. According to Schofield, (1978) questionnaire is a mass written interview. It contains questions that might be asked in face-to-face interview and as such, it represents the group test.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
This chapter deals with the result of data collected. The result are presented according to the research questions and hypotheses stated in chapter one. The focus of the study was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Belief of undergraduate youths toward HIV/AIDS.
The data obtained from the questionnaire were used to answer a number of research questions and hypotheses postulated. In order to ascertain the statistical evidence of the data analysis, one-way ANOVA, correlation and t-test method were used to test the hypotheses that guided the study. The computer package for analyzing data in the social science and education (SPSS) was used in analyzing the data. Significant level of 0.05 was adopted as the basis for rejecting or accepting hypotheses.
The findings of this research were obtained by using suitable and appropriate statistical techniques. Therefore, in order to satisfactorily answer the research questions and hypotheses various techniques were used. These includes percentages, means, standard deviation, and t-test. Percentages were mainly used to find out the disparity in the responses of students on knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS. Mean and standard deviation were used to find variation among the six factors studied. In addition, t-test was used to analyze the pairs of differences among gender (male and female), married and unmarried, student’s resident in the campus and those residents outside the campus. Correlation was also used to analyze the relationship of students’ socio-economic background with their knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS. Again, one way ANOVA was used for the differences of various academic levels of students’ knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
The researcher in this chapter summarized the previous chapters, the major findings were highlighted, conclusion were drawn and implications of this pandemic (HIV/AIDS) to human existence. In addition, recommendations were made to reflect the practical applications. It is obvious that the study has contributed in finding solution to the spread of HIV/AIDS in this modern society.
Summary
The research starts with a general introduction as the major heading; it highlighted the unhealthy situation of HIV/AIDS among youths in tertiary institutions. It presents the objectives, research question and hypotheses. Also highlighted is the statement of the problem, which justifies the course of this study. The research was limited to the basic levels of male adolescents in the community.
Again, a review of the related literature in the areas that are considered to have positive implication on the outcome. The framework of the study gave rise to framing of adequate hypotheses for this study. The hypotheses addressed relevant issues for reaching the desired effects on the targeted population and the entire society.
Furthermore, the methodology adopted for the study borders on research design used which focused on survey method, population of the study and sampling procedure. Pilot study was conducted and processes of data collection and analysis stressed.
Tables were designed to display the data contents and outcomes, reporting the basic elements that form the opinion of the researcher on the result of the analyzed data’s. The findings of this study have agreed with the findings of many researchers in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Finally, some recommendations were made.
Conclusion
The study focused on the knowledge, attitude and belief of male adolescents toward HIV/AIDS. The research was conducted in Elembelle community in Ghana. The data collected were subjected to intensive statistical analysis to test the three hypotheses raised for the study. Hypothetical analysis was to answer the research questions poised for the purpose of this study. The research hypotheses focused on important areas that have relevance to the success of the study. Areas of focus such as youths knowledge, attitude and belief toward HIV/AIDS were x-rayed. The effects of socio- economic on students’ knowledge, attitude and belief about HIV/AIDS were examined and relevant literature reviewed. Students’ gender differences toward HIV/AIDS were discussed in the study. Influences of students’ place of residence toward HIV/AIDS were also examined. The population comprises of 47,000 subjects’ who were consisted of undergraduate students’. These students were sample from three tertiary institutions selected from Elembelle for the study in Ghana.
A sample of 500 students was used in the study. The samples were drawn using random sampling techniques. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire. It was structured into five sections. Section A is Biodata, B is Knowledge toward HIV/AIDS, C is Attitude toward HIV/AIDS, D is Socio- economic and E is Belief toward HIV/AIDS. The instrument sought for information from the subjects on the basic characteristics being investigated. Experts validated the instruments.
The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using one way ANOVA, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and t-test analysis. Statistical analyses were based on the use of computer package for social science (SPSS). This was used to analyse the six hypotheses. Moreover, as Behrend (1954) has argued, in analyzing data, the most efficient and the same time simplest available method, which is appropriate to the subject matter, should be used.
Result of the findings was also subjected to necessary interpretations and it was meant to apply to the contemporary situations in our society. This intended to contribute to the social implications that affect the students and their existence. The result was also meant to proffer solutions where necessary and to make adequate contributions towards improving the prevailing circumstance.
The researcher believes that the recommendation in this study will go a long way in helping to correct the social ills of HIV/AIDS.
Recommendation:
Because of the findings and conclusions reached in the study, the following recommendations were made:
- AIDS education should be made part of the General Studies or Foundation Studies courses in various academic levels of tertiary institutions. It should have strong influence on students GPA and they should be required to take the course and pass it before graduating.
- Given the present lack of curative drug for AIDS, the emphasis must be on education, prevention and research between married and single students’ in our tertiary institutions.
- Community and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) need to provide loans/grants to students, particularly those students’ from low socio-economic status, to enable them become self reliant through Income Generating Activities (IGA) in order to alleviate poverty which is the major cause of HIV/AIDS transmissions.
- Open discussion about HIV are still rare in our institutions of higher learning, this should not be so. A day should be set aside as a special AIDS day in each semester for a general awareness on HIV/AIDS; where related issues should be discussed among students. This will help students understand how to protect themselves from the epidemic especially in the area of gender differences.
- Enlightenment campaigns on the spread and effect of HIV should be organized by the counseling centre of our institutions of higher learning in collaboration with other agencies like Ministry of Health as part of education of the youths.
- There should be a specially designed functional counseling unit for HIV/AIDS in institutions of higher learning. Such move will drastically improve students knowledge, attitude and belief, and consequently increase their fear in engaging in risky behavior toward the spread of HIV infection.
REFERENCES
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- Adewale, H. (1990). “The fact Nigerians must know”. The Nigeria standard. 1st February. Kaduna.
- Alutu, A.N. (2002). Assessing Nigeria University students’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. (Home page on the internet) PP.208.
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