Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) poses a substantial and pervasive global public health threat, particularly as adolescents engage in risky sexual behaviors that render them susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The prevalence of such precarious sexual activities among in-school youths underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the associated reproductive and health risks. The objective of this study is to delve into the depth of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the youth regarding HIV/AIDS in Bonny LGA, River State. To achieve this, a comprehensive descriptive cross-sectional survey methodology was employed. The research harnessed the efficacy of a meticulously designed self-structured questionnaire, strategically administered to 419 respondents. Rigorous nonparametric analysis, employing statistical tools such as SPSS (V22) and Microsoft Excel, was undertaken to derive meaningful insights from the gathered data. The study’s findings bring to light a commendable 85% level of awareness concerning the current status of HIV among the surveyed population. Furthermore, there exists a noteworthy 78.7% consensus regarding knowledge related to HIV transmission. However, a noticeable gap in knowledge emerges about prevention, where a substantial 69.9% lack adequate awareness.

The attitude towards People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is characterized as fair, accounting for 61.9% of the respondents. Concurrently, the practices related to HIV prevention and management exhibit room for improvement, with a suboptimal performance recorded at 65.4%. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of education and knowledge of HIV/HIDs. A similar trend was reported with attitude and practice. The study advocates for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the youth in Bonny LGA concerning HIV/AIDS. This may encompass educational programs, awareness campaigns, and community-based initiatives designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of HIV while promoting positive attitudes and risk-mitigating practices among the youth population.

Keywords:Knowledge; Practice; Attitude; Bonny; Rivers state