A Study on the Effect of Sociocultural Factors on HIV/AIDS Prevalence amongst Adolescents and Youths in Niger State, Nigeria

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.05.02.Art006

Authors : Otojareri Kohwo Anthony

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.

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