Abstract:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes the disease, Acquired Immunodeficiency Diseases Syndrome, is one of the public health challenges facing both developing and developed nations.

This descriptive study was carried out to examine the effect of socio-cultural factors on the prevalence of HIV/AIDs amongst adolescent and youths attending the antiretroviral clinics of four general hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria. These were the general hospitals in Bida, Minna, Suleja and Kontagora.

In order to participate in the study, the participants must be within the age bracket of adolescent and youths and must be retroviral positive. The instrument for data collection was a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: A total of 268 respondents were interviewed. More male participated in the study and majority of the participants were concentrated within the age bracket (21 – 25) years.

About 71.6 percent of respondents said alcohol intoxication did not lead them to indulge in unprotected sex whilst 79.9 percent respondents did not experience influence of watching pornographic file on their sex life.

Conclusion: The study showed, socio-cultural factors were found not to have had influence on HIV/AIDs prevalence.

From the finding, more awareness programs about HIV/AIDs should be carried out among adolescent and youths. Government and Nongovernmental organization should partner with the community, faith based organization, schools to implement these findings.

Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Adolescent, Youth, Socio-Cultural factors.

References:

[1]. Abdulai MC, Zongkui Z, Junma X (2011) Socio-cultural factors affecting the spread of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Sierra – Leone. Medwell Journals. 6(4): 269 – 276.

[2]. Adedigba, Bamise, 2011. Knowledge of HIV/AIDs among Secondary School Adolescent in Osun State, Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 14(3): 338 – 344.

[3]. Araoye M.O, (2004). Subject selection. In Research Methodology with statistics for health and social science 1st ed. Ilorin, Nathadex: 117-8.

[4]. Bankole A. A, Briddlecom G, Guiella, S. Suigh and Zulu E 2007.Sexual behavior, knowledge and information sources of very young adolescents in four sub-Saharan African countries. African J. Reproductive Health, 11(3): 28 – 43.

[5]. Biglan A, Wendler C, Any D, Noell J, Ochs I, Fienche Ifood D, Wurt R (1990) Social and behavioral factors associated with high risk sexual behavior among adolescent. Journal of Behavioral Medicine.13:245 – 261 (Pub. Med.)

[6]. Fatasi A. O (2005) Adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs in Nigeria: shaping a pragmatic and effective response. Journal of community medicine and primary Healthcare.17:1 – 6.

[7]. Lwelamira J, Sarwatt A and Masumbuko J, 2012. Knowledge and practices related to HIV/AIDS infection among youth in Minning areas of Central Tanzania: A case of London and Winza Minning Area. Asian Journal of Medical Science 4(4): 134 – 144.

[8]. Maluwa – Banda DW, 1999, HIV/AIDS Related Knowledge and Self-Reported Sexual behavior of secondary school student in Southern Malawi: Implication of AIDs Education and Counseling. A PhD Thesis University of Malawi Educational Foundation Department, Chancello College Zomba, MAIAWL, Pp 1 – 25.

[9]. Maluwa – Banda DW 2010. HIV/AIDS Related Knowledge and self-Reported sexual behavior of secondary school students in Southern Malawi: Implication of AIDS Education and counseling. Available at http://www.apicom.org/ids - document Retrieved October 17, 2013 4:00pm.

[10]. Nigeria National Agency for the control of AIDS (2013) ‘Country Progress Report 2013’.

[11]. Omoyeni S T, Akinyemi A. I, Fatusi A, (2012). Adolescents and HIV related behavior in Nigeria: Dee’s knowledge of HIV/AIDs promotes protective sexual behavior among sexually active Adolescents? Paper presentation at the 2012 population Assocation of American Annual Meeting Program. San Francisco California.

[12]. Oppong Asante K, Oti – Boadi M, (2012).HIV/AIDS knowledge among undergraduate University Students. Implication for Health education programs in Ghana. African Health Sciences 13 (2): 270 – 277.

[13]. Okonta P. 1, 2007 Adolescent Sexual and reproductive Health in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria Issues and Challenges. Afr. J. Reprod. Health, 11(11): 113 – 124.

[14]. Santelli JS Indberg Ld, Abma J, McNeely CS, Resurek M, (2002) Adolescent Sexual behavior, Estimates and trends from four nationally representation surveys family planning perspectives. 32(n4); 156 – 194 (Pub.Med).

[15]. UNAIDS, (2007) Report on the Global AIDS epidemic Geneva Arrington.

[16]. Wodi B. E (2005) HIV/AIDs Knowledge Attitude, and Opinions among Adolescents in the River State of Nigeria. The International Electronic Journal of Health Education. 8; 86 – 94. http://www.jejhe.org