P13.01
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections remain a public health challenge in Nigeria. Despite the widespread knowledge of HIV coupled with the expanded access to HIV-related services, risky behavioural practices are prevalent among young people and the utilization of HIV preventive services remains low. The aim of this study is to examine the trend in the knowledge of HIV and utilisation of HIV preventive services among young people in Nigeria between 2003 and 2008.
Methods: Data was obtained from Nigeria Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2003 and 2008. The data for indicators on comprehensive knowledge of HIV, comprehensive knowledge of prevention of mother-to-child transmission, percentage who had ever had HIV test and collected result, percentage of pregnant women who were counselled, tested for HIV and received results and male circumcision for the 15–24 years age group were extracted. The statistical significance of the observed trend was tested.
Results: In 2008, level of comprehensive knowledge of HIV among female youth was 22.2% while in 2003, it was 32.6%. Comprehensive knowledge of prevention of mother-to-child transmission among women increased from 5.1% to 23.2% and from 4.4% to 29.3% among men in 2003 and 2008 respectively. In 2003, only 4.6% women had ever had HIV test and collected result and in 2008 this increased to 9.2% while among men, the percentage increased from 6.4% to 7.4%. Only 45.4% of the women interviewed knew where to get tested for HIV in contrast to 59.3% men. In 2008, only 8.4% pregnant women were counseled, tested for HIV and received results and 97.7% male has had circumcision done.
Conclusions: The level of awareness and utilisation of HIV preventive services is very low in Nigeria among the youth. Male circumcision is an exceptional case because it is a culturally and religious norm for almost every male to be circumcised in Nigeria. There is a need to change the strategy for HIV youth awareness and utilisation of HIV services in Nigeria.
