HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE [KAP] IN ANINRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

*Nwobodo H. A.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude and practice among the natives of Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State in order to make recommendation to stakeholders on context specific intervention appropriate for HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the area. A total of 554 participants randomly selected from 11 communities in Aninri took part in the study. Face-to-face pretested structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Ethical clearance was obtained from Enugu State Ministry of Health (ESSMOH) ethical committee before the study was conducted. Data were collected (1st – 13 May, 2014) and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software package. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS was 61.0 percent, HIV testing rate was 45.7 percent, with 67.1 percent reporting willingness to test for HIV. Condom use was 49.1 percent. Widow inheritance was viewed as a safe practice by 44.0 percent and culturally acceptable (40.1 percent). Radio (44.2 percent) and NGO (30.5 percent) were the major sources of HIV/AIDS information in the area and the most preferred. Government (36.5 percent) and family (30.7 percent) are the major care providers for AIDS patients. There are no legal rights that protect orphans & widows (46.8 percent) though these rights are existence. Stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS was reported by 72.4 percent and 70.9 percent participants respectively. Females (462) in reproductive age were dominant in the study because they are among the most at risk group, vibrant and sexually active for the purpose of procreation. Condom use for prevention of STIs/STDs and unplanned pregnancies was poor. Interestingly, the majority (61.0 percent) of participants know the various ways of transmitting HIV. This notwithstanding, significant number of individuals had inappropriate knowledge of how HIV is transmitted stating sexual intercourse with an infected person as the only mode of transmission and recommending outright killing of infected person as a way of preventing spread of the infection. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), cutting of tonsil in tonsillitis, male circumcision, removal of tumors and other traditional practices like “Ichi mbu” and home delivery performed by traditionalists and the locals were not considered as potential sources of HIV infection, even though they involve exchange of sharps. This study suggests that inappropriate knowledge, negative attitude and unsafe practices towards HIV/AIDS remain a serious challenge to HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Aninri. For effective prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, massive awareness campaign should be instituted using various approaches including: one-one, group and mass education in order to correct and improve knowledge and change attitude and practice.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.