Authors : E.O. Asekun-Olarinmoye , J.O. Bamidele , A.O. Olowu , O.O. Odu , B.E. Egbewale and O.A. Amusan
Abstract: To identify the sexual risk behaviors and risk perception of HIV/AIDS in a rural adult population in Southwestern, Nigeria. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study. In a multi-stage random sampling, 325 adult respondents were selected into the study. There was a high level of awareness of HIV/AIDS, knowledge about routes of transmission and modes of prevention; however, there exist some misconceptions. High levels of stigmatizing behavior translating into high levels of negative attitude to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) exist. Age, gender and marital status were statistically significantly related to knowledge score of routes of transmission while, gender and marital status were statistically significantly associated with knowledge score of modes of prevention. Prevalence of sexual high-risk behaviors was moderate while, the perception of personal risk of HIV infection was low. Gender was predictive of good knowledge score of route of transmission and preventive measures having controlled for the effect of other variables. This study has shown a rural adult population whose high level of awareness, knowledge of HIV infection transmission and preventive measures is at dissonance with their poor risk perception of HIV infection and risky sexual behaviors thus, putting them potentially at great risk of HIV/AIDS. Risk reduction strategies in this environment, should include promotion of comprehensive knowledge of HIV infection transmission and preventive measures, elimination of stigmatizing behaviours and harmful traditional practices, increase in practice of safe-sex techniques, reduction in number of sexual partners, continued efforts to reach CSW and making condoms much more available and affordable for rural dwellers.
E.O. Asekun-Olarinmoye , J.O. Bamidele , A.O. Olowu , O.O. Odu , B.E. Egbewale and O.A. Amusan , 2009. Sexual Risk Behaviors and Risk Perception of HIV/AIDS among a Rural Adult Population in Southwestern Nigeria. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 3: 80-86.