HIV/AIDS Risk Behavioural Tendencies Among Secondary School Students In Gombe (Nigeria)

Abstract

A cross sectional survey of HIV/AIDS risk behavioural tendencies among in-school youths, was conducted in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 400 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique, but only 395 of completed questionnaires were finally found usable. The subjects were in the ratio of 50.8% males to 49.2% females and their ages ranged between <13 and 24 years. Although, almost all of them (98.4%) ever heard of HIV/AIDS before and majority (88.9%) have heard of condom, sex-related risky behaviours were still prevalent among them. This includes multiple sex partners in the last one year (10.5%), multiple life-time sex partners (14.1%), low rate of condom use in last sex (22.7%), sex in exchange for money or favour (9.8%), early sexual debut at less than 13 (18.8%), sex with female sex workers (12.2%) and diagnosed with STDs (6.8%). This scenario calls for urgent intervention measures such as HIV/AIDS school education programmes in the state and region.