title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Peer Education in Improving HIV Knowledge, Attitude, and Sexual Behaviours among In-School Adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria.
abstract: Introduction. Young people are at the centre of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer education in improving HIV knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices among in-school adolescents in Osun State, Nigeria. Methods. This was an intervention study that was carried out among in-school adolescents attending mixed secondary schools in Osun State, Nigeria. The study was in three stages: before intervention, intervention, and after intervention. The impact of peer education was evaluated twelve weeks after intervention. Data were collected using pretested semistructured questionnaires and data analysis was done with SPSS version 16. Results. At the preintervention stage, the study and control groups were similar in their sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices, including high risk behaviours for HIV/AIDS transmission. After the peer education intervention, those with good knowledge and positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS increased significantly from 50.0% to 86.7% and from 49.0% to 85.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The study showed that peer education is effective in improving knowledge, attitude, and some preventive practices towards HIV/AIDS among in-school adolescents. Educational programmes about HIV/AIDS should therefore be designed to target this age group putting into consideration their unique characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, PMB 4007, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeleye Abiodun
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, PMB 4007, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwatosin Adediran
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adeoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Osun State University, PMB 4494, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Esther Olufunmilayo
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Asekun-Olarinmoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olugbemiga Lanre
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Abodunrin
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adenike Iyanuoluwa
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Olugbenga-Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adedayo Olukemi
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Sabageh