THE SURVEY OF IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS EDUCATION ON PEOPLES ATTITUDE TO SEX A CASE STUDY OF ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE SYUDY

            This study is design to examine the emergence of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the global scene as been a major source of concern worldwide. Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immune deficiency virus. Since 1980s, HIV has spread to almost every country in the world.

            The International Labour Organisation (ILO, 2002) and Lisk (2002) describe HIV/AIDS as constituting a crisis for gender and advancement, as people are particularly susceptible to these infections. The reasons are manifold including psychological, socio-cultural and economic reasons. This diseases are infections generally known to be transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood contact and infected mother to the foetus.

            A lot of research had been carried out on HIV/AIDS by educationlist and scholars. Abdullahi (2006) stated that in Nigeria, the HIV/AIDS is devastating, he said Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa accounts for about 8 percent of the global burden of HIV/AIDS. However, there are an estimated 34millions people living with the virus and each year millions of people become more infected.

            According to Lijadu, Sobola and Adetunji (2011), the socio-economic impact of the dreaded HIV/AIDS are unqualifiable in many countries of the world especially in the sub-sahara Africa, where AIDS is eroding decades of progress made in extending life expectancy. Millions of adults are dying young while some die in their early middle age. Average life expectancy in Sub-sahara Africa including, Nigeria is now 50years as against 62 without AIDS.

            Many families are losing their income partners, many of those dying have surviving partners who are themselves infected and in need of care. AIDS strip the family assets, furthering impoverishing the poor in many cases, the presence of AIDS means that, the household eventually dissolves and disintegrates, as the parent die and children are sent to relatives for care and upbringing.

            Also the first cases of AIDS were reported in Nigeria in March 1986. By the health authorities, the number of the reported cases has been increasing steadily over the years with a reported cases has been 174 as at the end of December 2000 (Sangosanya and Siyanbola, 2005) as at June 2003. HIV population in Nigeria was estimated at 3,962,249 (Fayeye, 2004).

            Moreso, the expansion and improvement of HIV and AIDS education around the world is critical to prevent the spread of HIV and make people who are already infected with HIV receive HIV and AIDS education in order to live positively without passing on the virus to anyone else; and to ensure a good quality of life by informing them about medication and the support that is available to them.

            HIV and AIDS education also plays a vital role in reducing stigma and discrimination. Around the world, there continues to be a great deal of fear and stigmatization of people living with HIV, which is fuelled by misunderstanding and misinformation. This not only has a negative impact on people living with HIV, but can also fuel the spread of HIV by discouraging people from seeking, testing and treatment.

            Furthermore, HIV/AIDS education have give much more factual education about the danger of sex, increasing the breadth of peoples information about sexuality, affecting their attitudes so that the likelihood of participation in safer sexual behaviour increases, especially in view of HIV and AIDS and also promoting an understanding of, and appreciation for, gender differences and similarities (Feigenbaum and Weinstein, 1995).

            Moreover, there is no dispute in the fact that HIV/AIDS pandemic presents a major obstacle and challenges to people. It is within this context that this paper examines the impact of HIV/AIDS, mode of transmission, impact of HIV.AIDS education on peoples attitude to sex.      

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

HIV/AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immune deficiency virus. Moreover, there is no dispute in the fact that HIV/AIDS pandemic presents a major obstacle and challenges to people. Hence, it has been a subject of concern to many researchers. This study focuses on the survey of impact of HIV/AIDS education on peoples attitude to sex and determine the extent to which HIV and AIDS education can be delivered.

1.3     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

            The major purpose of this study is to investigate on the mode of HIV transmission. Also to fund out where HIV/AIDS education takes place.

            Specifically, to examine the impact of HIV/AIDS education on peoples attitude to sex. The research to this will also find the possible solution to the problem.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

            HIV/AIDS is a phenomenon which cuts across almost all ages, but considered common with adolescents and youths. Thus, the study will be of great value in considering the mode of transmission, why is HIV and AIDS education important, who needs HIV and AIDS education and others.

            It will also assist teachers (lecturers), parents, future researchers and government in identifying the mode of transmission of HIV and AIDS and various ways by which society can prevent peoples from HIV/AIDS infection. The study will help the parents and societies to know where does HIV and AIDS education takes place and how it can be delivered.   

The study will be of value to government to get more information on what needs to be included in HIV and AIDS education, the issues of HIV and AIDS education that will make people to be more oriented and well educated on this infection and can easily brings better tomorrow in our country and to make government aware of their faults and mistakes.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research is interested in finding answers to the following research questions.

(i)                 What are the attitudes of peoples towards sex?

(ii)               Why is HIV and AIDS education important to peoples?

(iii)             How can HIV/AIDS education used to deliver peoples on their attitude to sex?

(iv)             What are the possible solutions to the impact of HIV/AIDS education on people’s attitude to sex?

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study examined the survey of impact of HIV/AIDS education on peoples attitude to sex; the scope is restricted to some selected area in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.

1.7     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Youth: Is that period of growth in an individuals life, which begins at childhood and closes at the beginning of adulthood. Okan (1990) describes it is “a development period during which its members are no longer children and have not yet achieved adult status”.

HIV: (Human Immune Virus), a lentivirus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AIDS: (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease making one increasingly susceptible to infections and other diseases. Aids is the final stage of Hiv diseases which causes severe damage to the immune system.

Education: This is a form of learning in which knowledge, skills and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, research or simply through.

Sexual intercourse: Is a reproductive act in which the male reproductive organ (in humans and other higher animal(s) enters the female reproductive tract.

HIV/AIDS Education: is the art of preventing new infections by providing people with information about HIV and how it is passed on, in order to equip individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves from becoming infected with the virus.