HIV/AIDS-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND SOCIAL DISTANCE TOWARDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN CALABAR

Life Science-Psychology

Authors

  • EDET OLAIDE BAMIDELE Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State.
  • EDET EDET ETIM Public Health Adviser, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
  • PATIENCE EDOHO Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Science, University of Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria
  • WILFRED Head of Department, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Undergraduate students, HIV-related knowledge, HIV-related attitudes, Risky practices, Social distance

Abstract

The study determines HIV-AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and level of social distance of undergraduate students in Calabar towards PLWHA as a basis for planning an appropriate stigma-reducing educational intervention. A total population study of 165 undergraduate students was undertaken for this descriptive survey. Responses to a validated self-reporting questionnaire provided the source of data. The mean age of participants was 21 +/- 3.6. Eighty seven (53.0%) scored below the mean knowledge score of 11.0 +/- 3.9. One hundred and five (64.0%) had a favourable outlook towards PLWHA. although some myths still exist among the students. Most 109 (66.0%) were classified as desiring moderate to severe distance towards PLWHA. Previous encounter with PLWHA and experience of VCT were significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes of undergraduates (P<0.05). Sensitization seminars on HIV/AIDS targeted at undergraduates should include opportunities for interactive sessions with PLWHA and exposure to VCT.

Published

2012-09-30

How to Cite

OLAIDE BAMIDELE, E., EDET ETIM, E., EDOHO, P., & WILFRED. (2012). HIV/AIDS-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND SOCIAL DISTANCE TOWARDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN CALABAR: Life Science-Psychology. International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research, 2(3), L41-L56. Retrieved from https://www.ijlpr.com/index.php/journal/article/view/167

Issue

Volume 2 Issue 3, July - Sep 2012

Section

Research Articles

Copyright (c) 2022 EDET OLAIDE BAMIDELE, EDET EDET ETIM, PATIENCE EDOHO, WILFRED

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.