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HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual behaviour and condom use among commercial motorcyclists in Lagos State, Nigeria


WA Ojieabu
UIH Eze

Abstract

The incidence of HIV/AIDS infection within our society has gotten to an alarming proportion especially as it affects our youths, the group to which majority of our commercial motorcyclists belong. This prompted
the need to assess the level of awareness, knowledge and preventive measures by these stakeholders towards HIV/AIDS in the face of cultural beliefs, habits and ignorance. A total number of 345 questionnaires
containing well-structured questions relating to the subject matter were administered to commercial motorcyclists selected through purposive sampling technique at different locations in Lagos State. Majority
(72.7%) of the respondents were of the age range 20-39 years, of polygamous families (74.5%), Moslems (65.5%), with secondary education (58.3%). All the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS. Respondents
identified virus (84.3%), bacteria (3.5%) and excessive drinking of alcohol (8.7%) as some of the causes of HIV/AIDS. Some ways of contacting it included penetrative sex (96.2%), sharing shaver blade (57.1%) and
maternal transmission (48.7%). Cases of misconception abound.  Respondents who indicated they sometimes use condom were 64.6%. Those who had no sexual partners apart from their wives were 70.7%. The men in this study only had high HIV/AIDS awareness and adequate knowledge in some areas, but lack such in other key areas and therefore do not possess sufficient knowledge to curtail the spread of this killer disease.
Education and condom promotion should be part of every national AIDS control program.

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eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631