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Knowledge and Perception of HIV/AIDS Among Pre-Nursing Student At A Historically Black College and University (HBCU). By Joseph A. Adepoju , Ph. D., RN Delaware Sate University
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Knowledge and Perception of HIV/AIDS Among Pre-Nursing Student At A Historically Black College and University (HBCU) • By • Joseph A. Adepoju, Ph. D., RN • Delaware Sate University • College of Education, Health and Public Policy • Department of Nursing, • Dover, DE 19901 • Presented at the University of the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, School of Nursing • St. Thomas, VI, Oct 17-19,2012
A GENERATION LATER • The Scourge has permeated every sphere of society • The Early Years • Infection has spread to every group in the population • Heterosexual men and women are infected • Young people, especially college students age 15-24 years
In the United States • College students estimated to be at lower risk • Many students still indulge in HIV risky sexual behaviors • CDC states that HIV/AIDS is on the rise • I in 5 college students are infected • Risk taking with illusion of invulnerability • Condoms not used consistently • College students have multiple partners
In the United States (cont’d) • Majority of African Americans are infected through heterosexual contact • AA women far more affected than women of other races • Rate of HIV infection fifteen times higher than that of Anglo-American women • Three times higher than that of Hispanic women • HIV/AIDS third leading cause of death among black women and men aged 35-44 • Black women accounted for 30% of new HIV in 2009 • (CDC,2011)
In the United States (cont’d) • Majority of African Americans are infected through heterosexual contact • AA women more infected than women of other races • Rate of HIV infection fifteen times higher than that of AA women The rate of infection three times higher than Hispanic women HIV/AIDS third leading cause of death among black women and men aged 35-44 Black women accounted for 30% of new HIV in 2009 (CDC, 2011)
Review of Literature • CDC reports that 50,000 people are infected yearly • HIV has increased among MSMs • Aas face severe burden of the disease • Blacks in the U.S account for 46% of PLWA • People of color at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS • Other social determinants re: cultural norms and disparities, and restriction on sex education all play a role in being infected with HIV/AIDS
Literature Review (cont’d) • Women account for about 1 in 4 new HIV/AIDS, and are greater risk for contracting HIV/AIDS • Rural women acquire the disease through heterosexual contact • College students knowledgeable about measures to prevent STDs and HIV infection. • Condom usage known to be efficatious and effective in preventing HIV/AIDS (Apoola, 2011) • Less than 20% of men and 5% of women used condoms on their previous sexual encounter (Adedimeji, 2011) • College girls acknowledge their being at higher risk than their male counterparts (Choudhry, 2003)
HIV knowledge among International Students • No sex education allowed among college students in Japan • Lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS leads to many misconceptions about the transmission. • Male college students used marijuana, alcohol and other illicit druds while having multiple sex partners (Adepoju, 2006) • There were inconsistency in the use of condoms • Students who were 20 years and under perceived themselves as having no chance of being infected with HIV/AIDS (Adefuye and others,2009) • In certain parts of Africa (Botswana) alcohol used as a symbol of masculinity and high social economic status
Significance of the study • College students do not practice responsible sexual behavior • Educational attainment does not translate to a change in attitude • 25% of heterosexual students are unfaithful to their partners 2 out of 3 African American women are infected infected with HIV • College student constitute most-at risk group Every 10 minutes in America, somebody is being infected with HIV
Purpose of the Study • HBCUs offer unique opportunities for African Americans to be educated • The campus environment provides avenues for freedom to engage in unsafe sexual practices • Students are still very knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, but still practice unsafe sexual activities • This study investigates the the knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS among pre-nursing students at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)
Theoretical Underpinning • Harm Reduction: • Four Principles: • 1. Abstinence may not be possible • 2. Preserve health and wellbeing • 3. Present accurate information to clients including their own beliefs • 4. All people are capable of and should be • encouraged and nurtured
Methodology • Research Design, Setting and Sample: • > Descriptive study using a survey questionnaire with IRB approval • Survey had been used in two previous studies (Adepoju and others, 2007; 2009) • Campus of a predominantly black college • A convenient sample of 65 students
Analysis of Data • Demographic Characteristics: • 65 Pre-nursing students completed the survey • Gender: Females 62; Males 3 • 54 (83%) African Americans • 2 of mixed ethnicity re: African American/Native American parentage • 2 Africans • 1 Hispanic/Latina • 3 Amglo Americans • 1 hispanic/Anglo American; 2 Asians; 2 undeclared
Findings • Majority claim to know that HIV can make people sick enough to die • Nine students claim to be still virgins • Age at sexual debut range from 13 t0 20 years of age • Number of sexual partners in their lifetime range from one to as many as 25-30 (sEE tables I & II)
Table I Age at Sexual Debut • Age 13 n= 2 Respondents • Age 14 n= 8 ditto • Age 15 n= 12 ditto • Age 16 n= 11 ditto • Age 17 n= 9 ditto • Age 18 n= 18 ditto • Age 19 n= 2 ditto • Age 20 n= 2 ditto
Table II: Number of Sexual Partners in Students’ lifetime • One Partner 10 Respondents • Two Partners 5 • Three Partners 12 • Four Partners 10 • Five Partners 7 • Six Partners 3 • Seven Partners 4 Nine Partners 2 Eleven Partners 1 Thirteen 1 Twenty or more Partners 3
Responses to possibility of being infected or not being infected • 74% (48) of the respondents state that they could be infected • 18% (12) state they could not be infected • Many claim to be married or “engaged” • Others claim that because they have been in monogamous relationship, they are not likely to be infected Many claim (42 or 64%) because they have been in monogamous relationships, they would not insist on using condoms before sex Many of students (57 0r 88%) claim that they would not be afraid if their partners would not want to have sex without condoms
To Determine which is important: Partner’s love or Protecting their bodies • 56 (86%) state that protecting their bodies is more important to them • The same group state that they are not afraid of rejection if they insisted on their partners using condom before sex • Only one respondent ranked love and approval more important to her • Sevevteen of the respondents state that condom usage may their feeling of the sexual experience. • Sixteen student state that it does not matter, while 23 students state that it is not important
Discussion • It is commendable that there still virgins in this cohort • Number of lifetime multiplex partners indicate high risk sexual behavior • Knowledge of HIV/AIDS does not translate into condom use • Risky sexual behaviors means not taking precautionary measures • Women constitute MARPs
Conclusion and Recommendations • Educators to include/integrate HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention measures in the curriculum • Incorporate Curricular Infusion concepts as an approach to educate the students • The approach of this concept is to introduce real life issues into the curriculum • Prevention activities afford the students opportunity to be active learners • Students to be involved in community prevention efforts
Limitation • The study is only limited to one HBCU • Efforts being made to reach out to other HBCUs for collaborative research
Thanks for Listening • Any Questions please?