Awareness of HIV/AIDS in Pregnancy Among Female Adolescents in Rivers State Nigeria.

Authors

  • Sukarime Friday Eli UPTH
  • Kinikanwo Green UPTH
  • Dennis Allagoa FMC Yenagoa
  • James Omietimi FMC Yenagoa
  • Kenneth Okagua BMSH, Port Harcourt
  • Henry Ugboma UPTH
  • Chris Akani UPTH

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS, Pregnancy, awareness, adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Pregnancy is of Public Health concern globally. HIV/AIDS is the commonest cause of death among adolescents worldwide and also an indirect cause of Maternal Mortality.

Aim: To determine the awareness of HIV/AIDS in pregnancy among Adolescents in Rivers State and recommend strategies in reducing the prevalence in this age group.

Method: The survey was a cross sectional study carried out among adolescents attending an adolescent holiday camp meeting in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two hundred and Twenty questionnaires were distributed. The data were coded and analysed using SPSS version 16.

Results: Two hundred questionnaires were retrieved, 8 were incompletely filled. Thirty(15%) of the subjects were below 13 years, 60(30%) between ages 14 – 16, 110(55%)between ages 17 – 19 years. The awareness level of HIV/AIDS in the study population was 70%.  The information on commonest mode of transmission was through heterosexual means which was 60%, use of unsterilized instruments/transmission of HIV infected blood 20% and the awareness of Mother To Child Transmission(MTCT) of HIV/AIDS contributed to 10% of the respondents.The  awareness of HIV/AIDS in pregnancy were through the ; media 50%, school 40% others 10%.

Conclusion: The study revealed that the level of awareness HIV/AIDS in pregnancy is poor. Adolescents are at risk HIV/AIDS especially when the pregnancy is unwanted. Paucity of information in this part of the world is a major factor. More enlightenment is needed among adolescents.

References

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Published

2018-03-21

How to Cite

Eli, S. F., Green, K., Allagoa, D., Omietimi, J., Okagua, K., Ugboma, H., & Akani, C. (2018). Awareness of HIV/AIDS in Pregnancy Among Female Adolescents in Rivers State Nigeria. The Nigerian Health Journal, 17(4), 159–164. Retrieved from https://www.tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/296

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