Relationship between knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents in Delta State, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is any correlation between the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among in-school adolescents in Delta state of Nigeria and their sexual behaviour.


METHODS
A questionnaire based descriptive study of randomly selected secondary school students in Asaba. Delta state.


RESULTS
A total of 437 students were recruited for the study. About 47% of respondents had good knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The electronic media were their main sources of information. Fifty-eight percent had been sexually initiated but only 10% were currently sexually active. About 73% of the males and 58% of the females reported condom use in their last sexual act. Seventy-three percent of the students that had poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS had ever had sex compared with 69.5% of students with good knowledge. Similarly 45.6% of students with poor knowledge used condom compared with 58.8% who had good knowledge. However these observed differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS by in-school adolescents in Asaba has not significantly influenced their sexual behavior. Program planners should explore and integrate other factors that could impact positively on adolescent sexual behavior.
Okonta
P I
PI
Reproductive Health Co-ordinator, Public Health Impact Research Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. patrickokonta@yahoo.com
Oseji
M I
MI
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires