Ezeama Martina .C, Ezeamah Franklin Ikenna, Enwereji , Ezinna E, HIV and AIDS Risk Reduction Intervention Programmes among in-school Adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria, Journal of Clinical Research In HIV AIDS And Prevention, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 11-21, ISSN 2324-7339, https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-16-1227.
(https://www.ijn-medicalarticles.info/clinical-research-in-hiv-aids-and-prevention/article/hiv-and-aids-risk-reduction-intervention-programmes-among-in-school-adolescents-in-imo-state-nigeria-349)
Abstract: Introduction: Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) constitute a public health challenge in Nigeria and adolescents are increasingly becoming vulnerable. It is necessary to provide adolescents in schools with risk-reduction educational interventions so as to expose them to the need to protect themselves from getting infected. This study used risk-reduction interventions (Class-room Instruction and Drama) to encourage risk-reduction practices among in-school adolescents. Materials and Method: A quasi-experimental design using 165 students randomly selected from three convenient co-educational secondary schools in the rural areas was adopted. Two experimental groups, class room instruction (CI) and drama (DR) were used. Baseline data using a semi-structured questionnaire with 27-point risk reduction practices were collected. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA at p =0.05. Result: Scores for HIV risk reduction practices among the adolescents at baseline, classroom instruction (CI), drama (DR) and control respectively were 18.5±4.6, 19.8 ± 5.8 and 17.0 ± 4.8. The mid-term scores obtained were 23.8 ± 3.4, 23.6 ± 3.4 and 17.7 ± 5.1. The scores obtained for CI, DR and control groups at follow-up were 24.9 ± 2.6, 26.7 ± 1.1 and 17.0 ± 5.3 respectively. The results showed more effective risk reduction practices among the intervention groups than the control group. Conclusion Drama intervention yielded more positive outcomes in risk-reduction practices than others. Drama is therefore recommended as the best HIV and AIDS intervention programme for in-school adolescents.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; School-based intervention; Risk-reduction practices; Adolescents; in-school; Nigeria