Family Communication On HIV/AIDS Among Secondary School Students In A Northern State Of Nigeria

Abstract

Most Adolescents in Nigeria, like many others in Africa, are potentially at risk for contracting HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse. Yet the issue of how to help youth avoid risky sexual behaviour through family communication / education on HIV/AIDS is still of serious arguments within the society. This study examines the practice of family communication on HIV / AIDS among secondary school students. A descriptive study using 420 secondary school students selected by multi-stage random sampling was done. Self administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Only 48 (12.1%) reported family as the first source of information. However, most of the students 315 (79.7%) had family communication on HIV/AIDS with their family members. There is a gender difference in practice of family communication. Significantly higher proportion of the female students had family communication more than their male counterparts. The educational status of the parents significantly determined whether or not a student had family communication on HIV/AIDS. There is considerable level of family communication in the study population which should be encouraged further to cut across all members of the family.

A review of studies of parent-child communication about sexuality and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

“…This is in contrast to a study in Nigeria in which 98% of students reported discussion about condoms with a 'family member' [35]. This study also found that 34% of respondents reported discussion about premarital sex with a family member.…”

Adolescent sexual health communication with parents and peers and the associated parenting practices in Dar es Salaam Tanzania

“…This was attributed to a number of reasons such as parental fears concerning potential side effects such as infertility, that it would contradict their intended message emphasizing abstinence and due to shyness and lack of knowledge. This is in contrast to a study in Nigeria in which 98% of students reported discussion about condoms with a 'family member' (Musa, Akande, Salaudeen & Soladoye, 2008). This study also found that 34% of respondents reported discussion about premarital sex with a family member.…”

“…A total of 20 of 23 studies investigated frequency of discussion about a range of topics related to HIV/AIDS and sexuality between caregivers or parents and children. Firstly, in relation to HIV/AIDS, studies relying on data collected from young people reported proportions in assessing frequency of communication about HIV/AIDS with parents ranging from 8% to 80%, while other studies reported mean values (Namisi et al, 2009;Kawia et al, 2008;Musa, Akande, Salaudeen & Soladoye, 2008;Mathew, Shugaba & Ogala, 2006;Bastien, Sango, Mnyika, Masatu & Klepp, 2008;Bastien, Leshabari & Klepp, 2009;Babalola, Tambashe & Vondresek, 2005;Poulsen et al, 2010;Biddlecom, Awasabo-Asare & Akinrinola, 2009). One study looked at change over time from 1992 to 2005 in the same randomly selected primary schools in two regions in Tanzania in talking about AIDS with parents (Bastien, Sango, Mnyika, Masatu & Klepp, 2008).…”

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“…It has been observed that most youths become sexually active before marriage whilst still in their teens. Most adolescents and especially secondary school students in Nigeria are potentially at risk of contracting HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse (Musa et al, 2008).…”

“…Studies showed that about 50% of unmarried teenagers, aged 15 -19 years had begun sexual activity without proper protection (Musa et al, 2008). There are many religious and cultural ways which had helped to change sexual behaviors positively and which had helped to eliminate further spread of HIV.…”