KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND RISK-BEHAVIOURS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ABOUT AIDS IN IBADAN MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS ) epidemic poses a major threat to public health in many countries around the world. In the absence of a potent vaccine or effective cure, primary prevention through health promotion is the only realistic means of controlling the spread of AIDS. School provides an excellent forum for the education of students on AIDS. Teachers have a crucial role to play in the education of students on AIDS. This study was designed to examine the knowledge, attitudes and risk-behaviours of secondary school teachers on AIDS with a view to providing a baseline information upon which an AIDS education programme can be developed for the teachers. A total of 610 secondary school teachers in Ibadan Municipality were randomly selected from half of all the secondary schools in the Municipality. The schools were selected from the three zones in the Municipality, namely, the inner core, the transitional and the periphery. The teachers were interviewed using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire. Findings showed that half (51%) of the teachers are aged between 31 and 40 years. A large majority (85.2%) of them are Christians while 82.1% are married. The teachers' knowledge on AIDS as a disease condition is low (8.7%) and their marital status and religious affiliation appear to positively affect their attitude towards AIDS prevention. Majority (77.1%) of the married teachers who are Christians support the practice of having only one sexual partner and the inclusion of AIDS Education in the School Curriculum. Concerning risk behaviour, a large majority (95.1%) of the teachers do not engage in homosexual relationship while 90.7% have only one sexual partner. Finally, based on these findings, the implications for health education were discussed and specific recommendations were suggested.