224033 An Ethnically Sensitive and Gender-Specific HIV/AIDS Preventive Risk-Appraisal of Nigerian Women: A Comparative Study of Christian and Muslim, South Western, Nigeria

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Ademola M. Omishakin, MPH, PhD, MBA , Department of Natural Science & Environmental Health, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
Charles Uwakwe, PhD , Department of Guidance and Counselling, University Of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Ayo Hammed, PhD , Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Ajibola Falaye, PhD , Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Joseph Fehintola, PhD , Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
  
BACKGROUND Nigeria is Africa's most populous country with a population of 144million. Women are particularly affected by HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria. In 2006 UNAIDS estimated that women accounted for 62 percent of all adults aged 15 and above living with HIV. METHODS A multistage sampling procedure was adopted in the process of selecting the respondents. Participants for the study consisted of 800 religious women randomly selected from 2 states picked from 6 states in South Western Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents. We utilized comprehensive 50-item culturally and gender specific survey instrument for the assessment in four major areas: knowledge, myths and misconception; attitude/feelings; and sexual behavior. RESULTS Multivariate analysis of ANOVA procedure found significant differences between religion, level of education, income, marital status, age, and employment, and the dependent variables of knowledge, attitude/feelings and behavior of the Nigerian women about HIV/AIDS and related high-risk sexual practices. There were considerable lack of knowledge and misinformation among the participants in relation to; HIV-testing; condom use, and HIV-positive/AIDS patients. CONCLUSION The study recommends a comprehensive cultural-intensive AIDS sensitization program for Nigerian women in South Western Nigeria. Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to o Explain briefly HIV/AIDS epidemiology in Nigeria in general and South Western Nigeria in particular. o Identify under what circumstances Nigerian women residents in the South Western Nigeria will be willing to take HIV test. o Discuss if this population still has misinformation about the HIV-testing and condom use. o Name appropriate HIV/AIDS sensitization intervention programs for South Western Nigerian women. Keywords: Nigerian women, Religion, Sexual Behavior Presenting author's disclosure statement: Any relevant financial relationships? No

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Name appropriate HIV/AIDS sensitization intervention program for South Western Nigerian women.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have presented research papers on HIV/AIDS at prior APHA conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5029.1: Successful Approaches to Reaching Special Populations