ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS ON GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS ON GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

ABSTRACT

This research work focuses on the assessment of the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among University of Lagos undergraduate students: Implication for Counselling. The study was carried out among the undergraduate students of University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

The study seeked to find out if there would be significant difference between male and female undergraduate level of awareness of HIV/AIDS, if there would be a significant effect of religion on the level of undergraduate awareness of HIV/AIDS and also significant effect of age on the level of undergraduate awareness of HIV/AIDS.

The study was conducted using a sample size of one hundred and twenty (120) students from within the University campus, male (60) and female (60) between the ages of 17 – 20, 21 an above, the respondents were also Muslims and Christians.

The data collected was analysed using t-test and the findings showed that there would be a significant difference between male and female undergraduate level of awareness of HIV/AIDS. It was also discovered that there would be a significant effect of religion and age on the level of undergraduate awareness of HIV/AIDS.

A well structured questionnaire was administered on the respondents to collect information on the knowledge of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices among undergraduate students. Twenty five questions were designed to elicit information about HIV/AIDS. The low level of awareness among the female undergraduate students was highlighted while ways of increasing the level of awareness among them were also highlighted such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaign day as part of the recommendations.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human imunedeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the cells in the body that combats infections. Although, recent medical advances have caused a shift from the mindset of a terminal disease to one of a chronic manageable conditions in some areas of the world. This new approach brings challenges of its own, as the disease is eventually fatal (Forri et al, 1997).

HIV has brought about a global epidemic far more extensive than what was predicted even a decade ago. The issue of HIV/AIDS is not only relevant to medical documentation, but is complex and highly politically charged, affecting all communities regardless of race, age or sexual orientation (Ginsberg, 1995). At the end of the year 2000, it was estimated that there were 36.1 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS, the vast majority of whom live in the developing world, with more than twenty five million living in the continent of Africa (Global Summary of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, 2000 and 2001).

Care givers to HIV/AIDS patients need to be highly trained so as to effectively give succour to those who are stigmatized as a result of the contraction of the disease (HIV/AIDS). According to Adams, formal care giving services for the elderly and the diseased individuals are those services bureaucratically provided by non familial and non-informal social systems. Although, families provide majority of care scourge of HIV/AIDS disease and other aliments, formal services also exists in order to support those living with the dreaded disease. Individuals offering care-giving services need to be exposed to training through constant attendance of seminars, workshops, orientation and in-service programmes. These programmes should also be given to other individuals who are not infected with HIV/AIDS so as to prevent the contraction of the disease and to avoid its spreads in the society.

The World Heath Organisation has a set a goal for all Nation’s Heath for all by the year 2000 and the Nigerian health sector has adopted this slogan in the last decade. However, some of the major constraints facing Nigeria include poverty, inadequate human resources, inadequate personnel in the medical sector (the few are concentrated in the cities) illiteracy, poor funding of the health sector (less than 20% of the Gross National Product GNP), and finally lack of information and research into the state of the nation’s health (Ogunba, 2002).

In order to have sustained progress towards our dream or “Health for all by the year 2000”, the health needs for the nation must as a matter of urgency, include some of the following:

(1) collection of reliable epidemiological data for all the important endemic diseases, especially, the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease, in our country, as well as research inputs into our heath delivery systems so as to determine:

(a) effectiveness, efficiency, efficacy and cost effectiveness of our efforts at all costs;

(b) new tools, methods and management strategies and acceptabilities by the rural people of our concepts and vision for improved and modern medical care;

(c) behaviours, attitudes and environmental factors that may enhance or mar introduction of modern medical concepts into the background of long-time relationship and confidence in the “traditional healers and native doctors”.

The initial outlay for conducting the studies mentioned above may appear high but such data would become rewarding in the long run and make the health delivery service more reliable and cost effective. The tropical developing environment encourages the rapid spread of disease, especially HIV/AIDS, mostly in the rural illiterate setting. It is therefore, mandatory to have mass medical/health education incorporating literacy classes coupled with the production of potable drinking water that will control common preventable diseases such as guinea-worm infection, schistosomiasis, amaebiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections. These account for 40% of our hospital admissions/attendance and constitute a severe drain on our national health status and economy (Akintayo, 1990).

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ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS ON GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING