AEGiS-14IAC: Knowledge of Lagos University students about HIV (1988 - 2000).

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Knowledge of Lagos University students about HIV (1988 - 2000).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11452)

Apoola A, Apoola M
Whittall Street Clinic, Birmingham, United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: University undergraduate students are tomorrow's leaders and their knowledge and attitudes are likely to influence current and future decisions in the country. This study aims to assess the change in knowledge and attitudes of Lagos State University students to HIV/AIDS over a decade.

METHODS: A structured anonymous questionnaire survey of randomly selected undergraduate students carried out in 1988 and repeated in 2000

RESULTS: 131 students were surveyed in 1988 and 136 students in 2000. There was no significant difference in the age or religion of the respondents but there were more female students surveyed in 2000 than 1988 (31.3% Vs 43.4%, p=0.04). More students in 2000 correctly identified the known modes of HIV transmission than in 1988. Pregnancy / childbirth (80.9% Vs 46.6%, p<0.00001) and contaminated medical equipment (88.2% Vs 65.5%, p<0.00001) had the greatest increases in identification as a means of HIV transmission. There was no difference in proportions correctly identifying sexual intercourse, blood transfusions and intravenous drug use as modes of HIV transmission. There also was a decrease in the incorrect identification of wrong modes of HIV transmission in the year 2000 compared to 1988. Significantly more students in 2000 agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that 'There is enough information available about HIV/AIDS now' than in 1988 (43.8% Vs 21.1%, p=0.0002). Fifty-one of the 121 (42.1%) students that answered this question in 2000 however disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in knowledge about the various modes of transmission of HIV in the sampled University students. A sizeable number of students (42%) however still feel there is not enough information available about HIV / AIDS

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Knowledge, Students, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, HIV Seropositivity, Universities, Questionnaires, Coitus, Female, PregnancyKWDaegis,hivinfections,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,knowledge,students,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,hivseropositivity,universities,questionnaires,coitus,female,pregnancy

020707
E11452

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.