ADOLESCENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT OF HIV AND AIDS IN CALABAR SOUTH, SOUTH SOUTH NIGERIA

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infectious agent that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Over half of the world’s population is under 25 years old; this age group is more threatened by AIDS than any other. It is the same group that has more power to fight the epidemic than any other. Young people are particularly vulnerable due to risky sexual behavior and substance use and a host of other social and economic reasons. This study was a quantitative research to determine the awareness, preventive skills and safe behavior competences about HIV infection and AIDS disease of adolescents in Calabar South, South-South, Nigeria. Permission was obtained from the Local Government authorities. An HIV/AIDS/STI awareness behavior test, a standardized instrument by J.O. Akinboye was the instrument used for data collection after obtaining copyright from the author. Of 500 students, 260 (52%) were males while 240 (48%) were females. For awareness of HIV, 180 (36%) had very great awareness, 245 (49%) had great awareness, 45 (9%) had awareness, 20 (4%) had little awareness and 10 (2%) were ignorant. For AIDS awareness, 34% had very great awareness, 36% had great awareness, 17% are just aware and 13% were ignorant. Adolescents here are more knowledgeable about HIV than AIDS. Over 30% of them have low preventive skills and safe behavior competences. Comprehensive and skills-based health education, including reaching out to people before the initiation of sexual activity should be implemented