HIV/AIDS EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN OYO AND KADUNA STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

Studies and anecdotal records have shown that religious leaders influence their followers' actions and choices they also play some pedagogical roles which makes them constitute potential HIV AIDS educators. There is however little documented information relating to Nigerian religious leaders' HIV/AIDS educational needs This study was therefore aimed at assessing the knowledge and perceptions of Christian Religious Leaders (CRLs) and Islamic Religious Leaders (IRLs) in Oyo and Kaduna States of Nigeria. The survey involved the use of a four-stage stratified sampling technique in selecting 252 CRI.s and IRLs of different denominations in Oyo (63 CRLs and 59 IRLs) and Kaduna States (69 CRLs and 61 IRLs). A validated questionnaire which included a 34-point knowledge scale was used for data collection. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive, t-test and Chi-square statistics at 95% level of significance Respondents' mean age was 48.0± 12.7 years and 96.0% were males. Ninety-nine percent CRLs and 79.8% IRLs had secondary school education All CRLs and most (97.5%) IRLs had heard about HIV/AIDS. Respondents' overall mean knowledge score on HIV/AIDS was 16.5± 3.4. The mean knowledge score of religious leaders from Oyo state (17.1± 13.I) was significantly higher than those from Kaduna State (15 9±3.5). The mean knowledge scores of CRLs and IRLs were 16.8± 2.7. 16.1 ± 3.9 respectively with no significant difference the mean knowledge scores of lRIs in Oyo (17.6± 3.0) was significantly higher than IRI s in Kaduna (14.7 ± 4.2). No significant difference existed in the mean knowledge scores of CRLs in Oyo (16.7 ± 3.1) and CRLs in Kaduna (16.9 ± 2.3). Ninety-seven percent of the CRLs and 89.2% of the IRLs had the appropriate perception that HIV could be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Most CRLs (97.0%) and 91.7% of IRLs were of the perception that blood transmission can facilitate the transmission of HIV. More CRLs (80.3%, than IRLs (64.2%) were aware that HIV could be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. The listed erroneous modes of HIV transmission included sharing food with infected persons (CRLs -82.6%. IRLs-65.8%); kissing (CRl.s-63.6%. IRLs-45.0%). Mosquito bites (CRLs- 72.0% IRLs-44. 2%): shaking hands with an infected person (CRLs- 84.1%. IRLs-67.5%); coughing (CRLs-70.3%, IRLs-48.5%) and witchcraft (CRLs-62.9%. IRLs-60.8%). More CRLs (51.5%) than IRLs (30.8%) had ever attended a training programme on HIV/AIDS. The mentioned methods used for implementing HIV/AIDS prevention education in Churches. Mosques included preaching during religious services (CRLs-48.5%. IRLs- 45 0%). Distribution of educational materials (CRLs-22.7%; IRLs-20.0%) and drama presentations (CRLs-15.9%; IRLs-10.8%). Majority (60.6%, of the CRLs and 10.8% IRLs laid ever educated members of their congregation on HIV/AIDS prevention. Caps in knowledge and erroneous perception of HIV and AIDS exist among the religious leaders appropriate educational interventions are recommended for addressing the identified needs.