KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF HIV-AIDS AMONG NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to Study
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDs) is one of the most complex health problems of the 21st century (Tumer & Unal, 2000). The AIDs epidemic is in its 3rd decade and has become a pandemic disease that threatens the world population (AIDs epidemic update 2003). Moreover, it continues to spread at an alarming rate Tavoosi (2004). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is present in the blood and body fluids of infected individuals, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic.
The main modes of transmission are sexual contact, exposure to infected blood or blood products and perinatal transmission. (Guidelines for HIV infection control: technical review, 2005). However, human immune virus infects calls of the immune system which result in progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body’s ability to fend off some infections and other diseases (WHO 2017). AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined as the occurrence of any more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers. (Sepkowitz, 2001).
According to Pisani (1998), in the absence of a vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDs, public health education is still the best means of combating the pandemic. Public understanding of the views is growing but many behavioural aspects of the epidemic remain incompletely documented and poorly understood. The impact of prevention programmes on behaviour remains uncertain because they frequently lack complementary information on changes in behaviour or because behavioural data are not collected or is incomplete.
Knowledge attitudes and beliefs of HIV-AIDS among National Open University undergraduate students
1.2 Statement of the Problem
According to Udoikpong, (2014), in many parts of Akwa Ibom State, in particular, Uyo, HIV/AIDs has attained the status of pandemic, which means large areas are affected, and HIV/AIDs continues spreading. In this regard, whereas there has been a visible decline of the rate of HIV to AIDS, there has been an increase in the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Since HIV/AIDS is not curable though manageable, prevention remains the only surety for combating it; hence, the motivation for the numerous studies on HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among undergraduate students. (AKSACA 2011).
Therefore, the present investigation is informed by the stated motivation to examine the knowledge, attitude and belief of HIV/AIDS among national Open University under graduate students in Uyo in the quest for a relief, as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned.
Knowledge attitudes and beliefs of HIV-AIDS among National Open University undergraduate students
1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study
The main aim objective of the study is to examine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of HIV/AIDS among National Open University (NOUN) undergraduate students in Uyo.
Specifically, the study sought to:
(1) To ascertain the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo study centre.
(2) To assess undergraduate students’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in NOUN Uyo centre.
(3) To assess undergraduate students’ belief on HIV/AIDS in NOUN Uyo study centre.
(4) To determine the measures of addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS among NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo study centre.
Knowledge attitudes and beliefs of HIV-AIDS among National Open University undergraduate students
1.4 Research Questions
(1) To what extent does the knowledge of HIV/AIDs among NOUN undergraduate students affects prevalence of the disease?
(2) What are the attitudes of students towards HIV/AIDS in Uyo study Centre?
(3) What are the beliefs of students about HIV/AIDs in Uyo study centre?
(4) What are the measures of addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS among NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo study centre?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
(i) There is no significant knowledge of HIV/AIDS among NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo.
(ii) The attitudes of NOUN undergraduate students towards HIV/AIDS does not significantly affects its spread.
(iii) The belief of the spread of HIV/AIDS does not significantly affect NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo.
Knowledge attitudes and beliefs of HIV-AIDS among National Open University undergraduate students
1.6 Significance of the Study
The finding of this study will be of immense importance to the students, lecturers, parents, educational administrators, and the government in the following ways:-
(i) The information gathered from the study will help to expose the level of knowledge as well as their attitudes and wrong perceptions towards HIV/AIDs presentation among NOUN undergraduate students in Uyo.
(ii) The result of this study will be of tremendous benefits to the adolescents, the youths, parents, future generations and the society at large, as it will give them adequate information on HIV/AIDs.
(iii) The result and findings from this study will benefit the NOUN undergraduate students, as it will help to change and advance their attitudes and perceptions to the reality that HIV/AIDS is in existence and is spreading.
(iv) The result of this study will be beneficial to schools, the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as it will help to suggest and recommend appropriate HIV/AIDs reduction strategies and the way forward.
(v) The result of this study will help other researchers who may want to present study on similar studies.
1.7 Operational Definition of the Terms
Knowledge: This is a familiarity, awareness or understanding of someone or something, such as fact, information description or skills which acquire through experience or education by perceiving, discovering or learning.
Attitude: This is a person’s tendency to react towards another person, object, something in a favorable or unfavorable manner.
Beliefs: An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.
Undergraduate Students: Are students of university or colleges they have graduated from high school and have been accepted to colleges, but they haven’t graduated yet.
HIV: Human immune deficiency virus.
AIDs: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome of disease which results from a specific weakness of the immune system.
Health: According to WHO health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of a disease or infirmity.
Adult: An adult is a mature, fully developed person. An adult has reached the age when they are legally responsible for their actions.
Lawson Peter – Chief Editor in Projectvilla Nigeria. A writer and academic researcher.