European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF YOUNG ADULT (AGED 18-30YEARS) TOWARDS HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN OPOLO COMMUNITY, YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE

Fente A.E.*, Aduema W. and Bunu M.E.

ABSTRACT

This research study is focused on the knowledge and attitudes of young adults (age 18-30years) towards HIV/AIDS prevention in Opolo community, yenagoa local Government Area of Bayelsa State. HIV/AIDS has been a major threat to human health and a major problem in Nigeria and Africa at large with young adults being placed as an “at risk group”doe to their high vulnerability. A self-structured questionnaire was constructed to draw a sample size of one hundred and thirty three respondents adopting simple random sampling technique.The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents only had a clue on the sexual modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS but had little knowledge on the other modes of transmission of the disease, and the attitude of young adults towards HIV/AIDS prevention is poor as was observed from data analysed, and that risky sexual behaviour among young adults was high. In conclusion Man’s attitude and behavior is influenced by his perception, and may affect his health in one way or the other. This may further affect his beliefs and practices as well as his sexual behaviors and habits.

Keywords: Opolo community, young adults, Bayelsa, questionnaire, HIV/AIDS.