HIV PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS AMONG SEXUALLY ACTIVE NIGERIAN YOUTHS

Abstract

The HIV/ AIDS pandemic is one of the greatest health challenges facing mankind and now the leading cause of death in Africa and third largest globally. An estimated 2.6 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2009 and this number is increasing daily. HIV/AIDS is severely affecting health development and have reduced improvement in life expectancy especially in countries with highest prevalence of the infection. Young people make up a segment of the population that is particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, they are exposed to series of experimentation and various risk factors that increase their vulnerability to HIV/ AIDS. An understanding of the predictors of HIV infection is important for effective intervention, but very few studies to date have addressed this issue. The aim of the present study is to examine predictors of HIV infection among a nationally representative sample of sexually active youths in Nigeria. Data of young people aged 15 - 24 years from the 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS), a nationally representative survey of men and women of reproductive age was analysed to determine association between HIV serostatus, socio demographic and sexual behavioural factors. The association between HIV serostatus and socio-demographic HIV status, HIV knowledge, STI related variables, HIV Counselling and Testing and Sexual behaviour was tested using chi square and logistic regression analysis. Level or significance was set at 5%. The mean age of respondents was 20.4 years±2.5. Sixty-six percent of the respondents were aged 20 - 24 years, about 60% were females and 9% attained tertiary education. Almost half of them were not married and 45.6% were married, of this 12.4% were in a polygamous marriage. Majority (68.3%) were residents of rural areas. Male respondents reported higher condom use and multiple partners (64.5% and 68.8% respectively) compared with 31.2% and 35.5% for females respondent. About 67% had ever heard of HIV. Only 13.8% had ever tested to know their HIV status. HIV prevalence was 2.7%. The HIV prevalence was 3.9% among respondents aged 20 - 24 years, 3.9% among females and 7.0% among respondents who were living with their sex partner. Respondents who were divorced/separated/widowed were four times less likely than those that were not married (OR=0.217, CI=0.075 - 0.624) and those who had ever tested were two times less likely (OR=0.485, CI=0.270 - 0.872) those who had never tested to be infected. Findings from this study revealed location, marital status, HIV risk perception and history of HIV testing as significant predictors of HIV. It also shows good knowledge of HIV but poor knowledge of STI, an implication of the need to educate youths about sexually transmitted infection. The prevalence reported is fairly high and does not reflect the good knowledge of HIV reported. Respondent's attitude towards HIV Counselling and Testing is poor. Hence, the need for appropriate and effective policies, interventions and strategies that is youth friendly and implemented through effective behavioural change program.