ABSTRACT

The study attempted to examine the effect of awareness of HIV/AIDS on students’ perception of HIV/AIDS infection in selected secondary schools in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State. In this study, some relevant literature review was carried out under sub-headings. Also, the descriptive research survey was used in the assessment of the opinions of the selected respondents with the use of the questionnaire and the sampling technique. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) respondents were selected and used in this study to represent the population of the study. A total of four (4) null hypotheses were generated and tested with the application of the independent t-test and Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance.

At the end of the data analyses, the following results were obtained:

(1)         Hypothesis showed that there is a significant effect of counselling on students’ perception towards HIV/AIDS infection.

(2)         Hypothesis two revealed that there is a significant gender difference in students’ perception of HIV/AIDS infection.

(3)         Hypothesis found that there is a significant difference between students who have positive perception towards HIV/AIDS and those who have negative perception towards HIV/AIDS infection.

(4)         Finally, hypothesis four indicated that there is a significant relationship between sex education and students’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS infection.

A well structured questionnaire was administered on the respondents to collect information on the knowledge of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexual practices among undergraduate students. Twenty five questions were designed to elicit information about HIV/AIDS. The low level of awareness among the female undergraduate students was highlighted while ways of increasing the level of awareness among them were also highlighted such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaign day as part of the recommendations.