Strategies for HIV AND AIDS Prevention Programmes among In-School Adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria Pages 16-22

M.C. Ezeama Martina1, O.O. Oladepo2 and E.E. Enwereji3

1Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, P.M.B 2000 Imo State Nigeria; 2Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health. University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria; 3Department of Public Health College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University Uturu Abia State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12970/2309-0529.2018.06.03

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Abstract: Introduction: Strategies to prevent Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS among adolescents remain the greatest challenge in human sustainable development especially in developing countries like Nigeria. It is necessary to provide in-school adolescents with appropriate HIV and AIDS preventive interventions. Effective interventions for sustainable HIV prevention among adolescents are limited in Nigeria. This study investigated the effects of using Class-room Instruction (CI) and Drama (DR) as strategies for HIV and AIDS prevention among in-school adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria.

Materials and Method: A quasi-experimental design using 165 students from three randomly selected co-educational secondary schools was adopted. There were two experimental groups (CI and DR) and control (CG). Baseline data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire with 29-point knowledge and 9-point attitudinal scales. To analyse knowledge, scores of <15 and ≥15 were classified as poor and good respectively; while for attitude, scores of <5 and ≥5 were categorised as negative and positive. The results for baseline studies were used to design interventions that were implemented for 8 weeks. Also mid-term and follow-up evaluations were conducted during the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA at p=0.05.

Results: The mean ages of the respondents in CI, DR and control group CG were 13.4 ± 1.2, 13.9 ± 1.5 and 13.8 ± 1.2 years respectively. Knowledge scores on HIV and AIDS at baseline were 20.5±2.7, 20.4 ± 2.6 and 21.1 ± 2.7 for CI, DR and CG respectively. These scores increased to 22.7 ± 2.7, 22.6±1.8 and 21.2 ± 0.3 at mid-term for CI, DR and CG respectively. At follow-up, scores for CI and DR increased to 23.9 ± 1.8 and 24.5 ± 1.4 respectively while the score for the CG dropped to 20.0 ± 2.8. Scores for attitude among CI, DR and CG during baseline study were 5.3 ± 1.4, 4.9 ± 1.5 and 5.3 ± 1.0 respectively. For mid-term, attitude scores were 5.1 ± 1.2, 5.0 ± 0.9 and 4.7 ± 1.5 for CI, DR and CG respectively while scores for follow-up were 5.3 ± 1.2, 5.6 ± 0.7 and 4.5 ± 1.2, indicating greater increase among the intervention groups than that of control.

Conclusion: Intervention using drama yielded more positive outcomes in both knowledge gained and in attitudinal change than others. Drama is therefore recommended as the most appropriate HIV intervention strategy for sustainable HIV and AIDS prevention among in- school adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Strategies, HIV, AIDS, preventive intervention, knowledge, attitudinal change, adolescents, in-school. Read more →