UNMARRIED YOUTHS' KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN IMMUNO DEFICIENCY VIRUS AND PERCEPTIONS OF MANDATORY PRE-MARITAL HIV TESTING IN IBADAN NORTHWEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

The Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a public health concern in Nigeria. To prevent further transmission of the virus, some religious organizations have started promoting Mandatory Premarital I HIV Testing (MPHT). However, the perceptions of unmarried youths who are the primary targets of this strategy are often ignored. This study, therefore, assessed unmarried youth’s level of HIV knowledge and perceptions relating to MPHT in lbadan Northwest Local Government Area. The study was a cross-sectional survey. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 571unniarried youths aged 15-24 years from households. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to conduct six FGDs while a validated questionnaire with a 14-point knowledge scale was used for the collection of quantitative data. The FGD data were analyzed using the thematic approach while the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. The mean age of respondents was 20.6 ± 2.6 years with 52.0% being males. Majority had senior secondary education (52.7%) followed by those with tertiary (31.8%), junior secondary (10.3%), primary (4.4%) and no formal education (0.7%). Mean knowledge score on HIV transmission and prevention was 12.0 ± 1.7 out of a maximum of 14 points. More than half (56.2%) were aware of HIV testing centers in Ibadan and 45.4% could mention at least one. Eighty percent were aware of MPHT for intending couples. Awareness of MPHT was significantly higher among Christians (85.6%) than Muslims (65.4%) (p<0.05). Nineteen percent of the respondents were of the perception that MPHT was not a good tool for detecting HIV infection. Majority (82.8%) believed that MPHT could reduce the spread of HIV. Sixty percent were of the opinion that MPHT could reduce sexual promiscuity. Only 25.2% perceived MPHT as a violation of human rights. Sixty-two percent preferred premarital HIV testing in government-owned hospitals. Twenty-eight percent of those who preferred private health facilities were of the opinion that confidentiality would be better maintained in such facilities. Majority (70.1%) would prefer a doctor to disclose HIV test results to intending couples, Majority of the FGD participants opined that the spread of HIV could be reduced through MPHT. A central belief among the discussants was that refusal to go for MPHT by anyone indication of HIV sero-positivity. This study revealed A high knowledge of HIV/AIDS as well as a high awareness and positive perception of mandatory pre-marital HIV testing among unmarried youths. The sustenance of positive perceptions of mandatory pre-marital HIV testing among unmarried youths should be promoted through youth-friendly educational strategies.