Assessing the HIV Knowledge, Awareness, and Utilization of YFS among Undergraduates in Rivers State, Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: The establishment of a Youth Friendly Centre (YFC) is to ensure that the reproductive and sexual health needs of young people are adequately met. However, data have shown that a number of them are not even aware of such Centres in their vicinities or the services they offer, how much more utilize them. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the level of HIV knowledge, awareness, and utilization of Youth Friendly Services (YFS) among undergraduates in Rivers State University, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 520 students were given structured self-administered questionnaire which had been validated and pretested. Four hundred and forty-six questionnaires were returned properly filled. Information regarding knowledge of Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), awareness, and utilization of Youth Friendly Services were obtained from the students.
Results: Two hundred and nineteen (49.1%) of the students indicated HIV had no cure, while 73(16.4%) reported that there was a cure and 154 (34.5%) specified they were uncertain. The female respondents had a better knowledge compared to their male counterparts. The respondents exhibited a high knowledge of HIV preventive measures with the majority 357 (80%) indicating that abstinence was the best means. All the students agreed that everyone was at risk of HIV if they engaged in risky behaviors. In spite of this good knowledge on HIV, only 112 (25.1%) of the students were aware of a YFCs on campus.
Conclusion: The high knowledge level of HIV exhibited by the students did not translate to the awareness and utilization of the YFS. There is still so much to be done by health workers and the university committee if the students are to be encouraged to use the services offered at the Centre.
Article Details
References
The US. Definition of Youth; 2014. Retrieved 1stAugust 2020 from Available:https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/united-states/#:~:text=The%20draft%20youth%20policy%20framework,adulthood%20(18%2D24).
The Federal Republic of Nigeria. Federal Republic of Nigeria youth policy; 2019. Retrieved 17th May 2020 from Available:https://www.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Nigeria-National-Youth-Policy-2019-2023.pdf
Danforth K, Granich R, Wiedeman D, Baxi S, Padian N. Global mortality and morbidity of HIV/AIDS; 2017. Retrieved 3rd August 2020 from Available:https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/full/10.1596/978-1-4648-0524-0_ch2
WHO. HIV/AIDS; 2020b. Retrieved 16th October 2020 from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids
Akodu S. Awareness and knowledge of HIV counseling and testing among undergraduate university students in Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health. 2014;4(9):896-904.
Ajuwon AJ, Titiloye M, Oshiname F, Oyewole O. Knowledge and use of HIV counseling and testing services among young persons in Ibadan, Nigeria. International Quarterly of Community Health Education. 2011;31(1):33-50.
Lee SH, Kim K-H, Lee SG, Cho H, Chen DH, Chung JS, Kwak IS, Cho GJ. Causes of death and risk factors for mortality among HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Korea. Journal of Korean Medical Science. 2013;28(7):990-997.
Okereke CI. Unmet reproductive health needs and health-seeking behavior of adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health. 2010; 14(1).
Rosenberg NE, Bhushan NL, Vansia D, Phanga T, Maseko B, Nthani T, Libale C, Bamuya C, Kamtsendero L, Kachigamba A. Comparing Youth Friendly Health Services to the Standard of Care through “Girl Power-Malawi”: A Quasi-Experimental Cohort Study. Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes. 1999;79(4):458.
CDC. HIV and Youth; 2020. Retrieved 29th September 2020 Available:https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/age/youth/index.html
Okeafor IN, Okeafor CU. Evaluation of HIV Surveillance System in Rivers State, Nigeria. Nigerian Health Journal. 2017;17(1).
NACA. Nigeria prevalence rate; 2019. Retrieved 15th May 2020 from Available:https://naca.gov.ng/nigeria-prevalence-rate/
Dictionary CA. Undergraduate; 2020. Retrieved 9th September 2020 from Available:https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/undergraduate
Wahab B. 6 requirements you MUST meet to gain admission into higher institutions; 2018. Retrieved 15thSeptember 2020 from Available:https://www.pulse.ng/communities/student/pulse-list-6-requirements-you-must-meet-to-gain-admission-into-higher-institutions/zqxqmfb
Amanuel AA, Seme AS. Reproductive Health Knowledge and Services Utilization among Rural Adolescents in Machakal district, Northwest Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences. 2013;1(1).
Mazur A, Brindis CD, Decker MJ. Assessing youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research. 2018;18(1):216.
WHO. Adolescent friendly health services: an agenda for change. WHO; 2003a Retrieved 17th October 2020 from Available:https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/fch_cah_02_14/en/
WHO. Making health services adolescent-friendly; 2003b. Retrieved 17th October 2020 from Available:https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/75217/9789241503594_eng.pdf?sequence=1
UNIPORT. YFC, University of Port Harcourt; 2017. Retrieved 3rd September 2020 from Available:https://www.uniport.edu.ng/news/latestnews/1149-youth-friendly-Centre-university-of-port-harcourt.html
RSU. About Rivers State University of Science and Technology; 2020. Retrieved 9th October 2020 from Available:http://www.rsu.edu.ng/index.php/about/who-we-are/about-rsust
Kothari CR. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (2nd ed.). New Age International Publishers; 2004.
Katibi AH, Adegoke AA. Correlates of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Uptake of HIV Counselling and Testing Among Youths in Nigerian Institutions of Higher Learning; 2013. Retrieved 9th September 2020 from Available:https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Correlates-of-HIV%2FAIDS-Knowledge-and-Uptake-of-HIV-Katibi-Adegoke/69c27420b410f0330aa321e345c3798994cea537
Johnson DR, Elliott LA. Sampling design effects: Do they affect the analyses of data from the National Survey of Families and Households? Journal of Marriage and the Family. 1998;993-1001.
Thongmixay S, Essink DR, Greeuw TD, Vongxay V, Sychareun V, Broerse JE. Perceived barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services for youth in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. PloS one. 2019;14(10):e0218296.
Simegn A, Azale T, Addis A, Dile M, Ayalew Y, Minuye B. Youth friendly sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high and preparatory school students in Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. PloS one. 2020;15(9):e0240033.
Zuurmond MA, Geary RS, Ross DA. The effectiveness of youth centers in increasing use of sexual and reproductive health services: a systematic review. Studies in family planning. 2012;43(4):239-254.
Motuma A, Syre T, Egata G, Kenay A. Utilization of YFS and associated factors among youth in Harar town, east Ethiopia: a mixed-method study. BMC health services research. 2016;16(1):272.
Abebe M, Awoke W. Utilization of youth reproductive health services and associated factors among high school students in Bahir Dar, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. Open Journal of Epidemiology; 2014.
Osanyin Y. Report on assessment of facilities providing Youth Friendly Health services in Nigeria; 2011. Retrieved 27thAugust 2020 from Available:http://ncceonline.net/download/files/Assessment%20of%20Youth%20Friendly%20Health%20Centers%20and%20Services.pdf
Tylee A, Haller DM, Graham T, Churchill R, Sanci LA. Youth-friendly primary-care services: how are we doing and what more needs to be done? The Lancet. 2007;369(9572):1565-1573.
Kennedy E, Bulu S, Harris J, Humphreys D, Malverus J, Gray N. Be kind to young people so they feel at home. adolescents’ perceptions of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Vanuatu. BMC Health Serv Res. 2013;13:455.