|
|
Abstract
Development of AIDS health education in Nigerian schools
W Gashau1, J Mandel2, N Hearst3
1University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria; 2Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, UCSF, San Francisco, United States; 3Formerly of CAPS, University of California, San Francisco, United States
Objective: To describe the sexual practices of adolescents and young adults in Nigerian Schools; to describe the development of AIDS prevention program and to evaluate the effectiveness of each of the behavioral models employed.
Methods: Two hundred and fifty adolescents and young adults aged 17-35 years in the State School of Health Technology in Maiduguri Metropolis were divided into four groups and each targeted to receive a cluster-randomised, controlled trial of AIDS intrervention based on models of behavior change: AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM) alone, ARRM + Dawn of Reality( a Nigerian film on AIDS), ARRM + PLWHA visit and no intervention. Pretest and immediate post-test and a delayed evaluation at 6 months were carried out in each of the four groups for effectiveness of each model.
Results: Response rate was 97.5%. Subjects comprised 150 (60%) males and 100 (40%) females. Mean age was 22.5 years. 72% of students have had sexual exposure with a mean debut age of 17.6 years. MSM was reported in 16 but only 4 were truely homosexual, the others were bisexual. Lack of condom use and CSW visit correlated witjh self-reported STD history (p<.05). At baseline, discriminatory attitudes to PLWHA, multiple partners and low condom use correlated (p<.05). Actual and intended changes in behavior were real at both immediate and delayed post-tests in the three interventions. Condom acceptabilty, correct use, knowledge on STD, perceived susceptibility all increased significantly while discriminatory tendencies fell. ARRM and PLWHA visit however produced superior results to ARRM+ Film show which in turn was better than ARRM alone.
Conclusion: A sizable number of Maiduguri students engage in unprotected sex.. However successful school-based programs could be developed to reverse this trend as this intervention has shown.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
ThPeE8219
Suggested Citation
" W Gashau , , et al.
Development of AIDS health education in Nigerian schools
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
ThPeE8219"
|
|
|