ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a metro virus, it was discovered in 1983. The virus destroys a subs-group of lymphocytes resulting in suppression of the body’s immune response. It has had several names during it short history, but HIV has now been accepted internationally (Meekers , 2001).
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the other hand, is an infectious disease spread by HIV virus. It is called syndrome because it consist of several symptoms, these includes: –
v Fever
v Sore throat
v Headache
v Muscle aches and joints pains
v Swollen glands (swollen lymph nodes).
v Skin rash.
Aids are essentially a sexual transmitted disease, transmitted either homosexually or heterosexually. The two other routes of spread are via infected blood or blood product (current processing of blood for transfusion and for hemophiliacs has virtually eliminated this danger) and by the maternal fetal route. The virus may be transmitted from an infected mother to the child in the uterus or it may be acquired from maternal blood during parturition, it can be transmitted in breast milk (Medical dictionary 2002).
HIV AIDS remain incurable and devastate many communities and nation. It has spread unremittingly to virtually every country of the world; Africa’s remains the most effected region in the world. Sub-Sahara Africa which has just about 10% of the world’s population is home to two-third of all people living with HIV and three quarters of all aids death in 2007 (Nyimana, 2007).
Large percentage of adolescent are misinformed about HIV AIDS, although HIV AIDS education is being scaled up in schools, at least half of youth who attended school do not have HIV AIDS. However nearly half of all new infections occur in people aged 18-24, and there are already some level million young people living with HIV AIDS (Rasheeds, 1993).
The fact is that the disease is rapidly killing a significant number of people especially adolescent including secondary school students at all times despite the huge investment done by the government development partners, religious organization and NGO’s all to eradicated the disease (Odebiyi 1992), as a result, this study intendeds to find the level of HIV AIDS awareness of secondary school students within Dutse.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS
The pandemic of HIV AIDS stills increases within the youths at high risk of infection. Hence, this study sought to evaluate the level of awareness of secondary school students on the effects, transmission and prevention of HIV AIDS in Dutse.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study is especially design to achieve the following:
i- To determine the level of awareness of secondary school on the effects of HIV AIDS.
ii- To determine the level of awareness of secondary school students on the method of transmission of HIV AIDS.
iii- To determine the level of awareness of secondary school students on the method of prevention of HIV AIDS.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following are the research question design by the researchers to guide the study;
i- What is the level of awareness of secondary school students on the effects of HIV AIDS?
ii- What is the level of awareness of secondary school students on the method of transmission of HIV AIDS?
iii- What is the level of awareness of secondary school students on the method of prevention of HIV AIDS?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Investigating the level of HIV AIDS awareness among the secondary school students in Dutse Local Government on the effects, transmission and prevention of the disease give on opportunity to find out the extent to which HIV AIDS programme need to put emphasis and where to be considered in the fight against the disease in secondary school. Specifically, the study is going to be beneficial to students, teachers, policy makers, parents, curriculum planners, government and the public in general.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study will be delimited to secondary school students within Dutse metropolis. The research is specifically intended to determine the level of HIV AIDS awareness among students of secondary schools in term of the effects, transmission and prevention of HIV AIDS.
1.7 DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
– HIV: – (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that gradually attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defense against illness. If a person becomes infected with HIV, they will find it harder to fights off infection and diseases. The virus destroys a type of white blood cell called a T-helper cell and make copies of itself inside them. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells.
– AIDS – stand for (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) where A is acquired this condition is acquired, meaning that, person become infected with it. I is immune HIV effects a person immune system, the part of the body that fights off germs such as bacteria or viruses, and D is Deficiency, the immune system become deficient and does not work properly, S- Syndrome, a person with AIDS may experience other diseases and infections because of a weakened immune system.
NGO’s = Non Governmental Organization.
AWARENESS = knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject at the present time based on information or experiences.
EFFECT = something that is produce by an agency or cause, result consequence.
Prevention = it is also defined as an actions directed to preventing illness and promoting health to reduce the need for secondary and tertiary health care.
TRANSMISSION = is the act of transferring something from one spot to another like a disease going from one person to another.