HIV comprehensive knowledge and prevalence among young adolescents in Nigeria: evidence from Akwa Ibom AIDS indicator survey, 2017
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Date
2020-01-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Background: Despite the recent increase in HIV infections among adolescents, little is known about their HIV
knowledge and perceptions. This study, therefore, sought to examine the factors associated with comprehensive
HIV knowledge, stigma, and HIV risk perceptions among young adolescents aged 10–14 years in Akwa Ibom State,
Nigeria. Additionally, consenting parents and assenting young adolescents were tested for HIV.
Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the 2017 Akwa Ibom AIDS Indicator Survey to analyze comprehensive
HIV knowledge, stigma, and HIV risk perceptions among young adolescents. Demographic characteristics of young
adolescents were summarized using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test in cases of small
subgroup sample sizes) was used to elicit associations between demographics and study outcomes. Separate
multivariable logistic regression models were then conducted to determine associations with the study outcomes.
Sampling weights were calculated in order to adjust for the sample design. P-values less than 0.05 were considered
to be significant.
Results: A total of 1818 young adolescents were interviewed. The survey highlighted significant low levels of
comprehensive HIV knowledge (9.4%) among young adolescents. Adolescent-parent discussions [AOR = 2.19, 95%
C.I (1.10–4.38), p = 0.03], schools as sources of HIV information [AOR = 8.06, 95% C.I (1.70–38.33), p < 0.001], and
sexual activeness [AOR = 2.55, 95% C.I (1.16–5.60), p = 0.02] were associated with comprehensive HIV knowledge.
Majority (93%) of young adolescents perceived themselves not to be at risk of HIV. Overall, 81.5% of young
adolescents reported stigmatizing tendencies towards people living with HIV. HIV prevalence among young
adolescents was 0.6%.
Conclusions: Results indicate low comprehensive HIV knowledge among young adolescents. Our findings suggest
that there is a need for increased attention towards young adolescents particularly in the provision of
comprehensive, functional sexuality education, including HIV at the family- and school-levels. Consequently, age
appropriate interventions are needed to address the epidemiological risks of young adolescents that are influenced
by a myriad of social issues
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Comprehensive HIV knowledge, Stigma, Risk perceptions, Young adolescents, Nigeria