EFFECTS OF PEER EDUCATION ON AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS HIV AND AIDS AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Adolescence period is characterized by emotional, intellectual,
physical, social and sexual changes and the individual is faced with various
challenges. Adolescence according to Conger, Kegan and Mussen (2004) is a
period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is considered to last
from ages 10 to 19 and from puberty to full biological /physiological
maturation. Within this time frame, adolescents are affected by various
developmental transformations including physical, emotional, and social
changes. With these changes come many responsibilities and privileges that are
different from those of childhood or full adulthood, and these aspects ultimately
define the period of adolescence.

The word adolescence has it’s origin and meaning from Latin
perspective. In Latin, it implies “to grow into maturity” (Eke, 1989). The author
further noted that the common denominator in all adolescents experiences,
irrespective of cultural variations, is the biological change from childhood into
mature adult status capable of reproduction. According to Eke, during this
period, remarkable physical changes take place. Boys and girls experience a
spurt in growth. A sharp increase in height for girls at the ages of 11 and 13 and
in boys between 13 and 15. There is the presence of growth spurt which leads to
the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics. Nworah, (2004)
has it that adolescence is a period of rapid transitional or developmental
changes from childhood to adulthood. It is a period when the physical and
physiological change that accompany the transition from childhood to
adulthood become manifest and continues into adulthood. Adolescence as noted
by Unachukwu and Ebenebe (2009) cover the age of 12 or 13 till the early
twenties.