Nigerian university students' knowledge, perceptions, and behaviours aboutHIV/AIDS: are these students at risk?

The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge level of undergradu ate students of a Nigerian university about HIV/AIDS, their perception of r isk of contracting HIV/AIDS based on their sexual behaviour, and to assess how students acquire information about HIV/AIDS. The sample consisted of 38 0 students from five faculties of the university who volunteered to partici pate in the study. Participants completed a survey asking about their knowl edge about transmission, symptomatology and prevention of HIV/AIDS. The sur vey included questions about their sexual orientation, past and present sex ual practices as well as sources of information about HIV/AIDS. The results indicated that the students were knowledgeable about transmissi on and symptomatology but there were some misconceptions about the mode of transmission of HIV. Few students identified themselves to be at high risk even though majority of them (92%) were sexually experienced. The study als o showed that even though these students are knowledgeable and concerned ab out contracting HIV/AIDS from their partners, this did not prevent them fro m engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse. It appears, however, that stu dents are exercising caution when negotiating new sexual relationships, as they are likely to discuss (and insist on) using condoms, and ask to have a monogamous relationship. Students obtained information about HIV/AIDS primarily from the media rathe r than from school classrooms and homes, which suggests a need to increase educational efforts at the university. Many students of this university may be at risk of becoming HIV-infected due to their age bracket, level of sex ual activity and past/present sexual behaviors. University faculty can be a ctively involved in developing and implementing HIV/AIDS education and prev ention strategies on their campuses. Health educators must go beyond provid ing accurate and gender-specific information about HIV/AIDS; they must also help students realistically assess their own risk of infection, and develo p communication processes which enable them to negotiate safer sexual pract ices.