HIVAIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos

European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X Vol.22 No.3 (2008), pp.399-410 © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2008 http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria B.O. Lawal Department of Teacher Education,Faculty of Education University of Ibadan, Ibadan,Nigeria Abstract This study investigated HIV/AIDS awareness among secondary school teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria. The study by its nature, is a surrey study, hence, survey research method was used in carrying out the study. Questionnaires were used for data gathering after validation. Simple percentage as well as likeert method of summated ratings were used for the data analysis. The study reveled that the level of awareness among secondary school teachers is very low. It was also reveled among others that the difference between single and married teachers in their awareness of HIV/AIDS is not significant. It was recommended among other things that individuals should avoid both premarital and extra-marital sex. That young people should be given awareness about HIV/AIDS. That government should provide adequate funding for HIV/AIDS research and that the pandemic should be discussed with other around you for the purpose of awareness. Introduction HIV/AIDS is a terrible disease condition caused by a tiny germ called Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). HIV/AIDS has been described as the most dangerous and deadly disease of the millennium. The scourge poses global threat to human existence and it has no regard for race, class or creed. The Nigerian Government has embarked on laudable and multiple strategies aimed at curtailing the HIV/AIDS scourge in Nigeria. It is unimaginable that the epidemic is still on the increase. It is equally be wildering that despite the fact that HIV/AIDS is dreaded terminal and of no known cure yet. Nigerians still engage in unwholesome behavioural practices that foster the spread of the disease. Table 1: HIV/AIDS indicators in Nigerian. STATISTICS 120 million 1.4 million 847,000 4.5 years 5.8% 6.5% 15.0% 1.00% INDICATORS • Population in 2002 • Estimated cumulative number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS in 2002 • Number of HIV/AIDS orphans in 2002 • Estimated decrease in life expectancy in 2002 due to HIV/AIDS. • Percentage of 15-49 population HIV+ • Prevalence of age group most affected (20-24 years). • State with highest prevalence. • State with lowest prevalence. Source: National AIDS and STD control Programme 2002. P4 HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria 400 Ologun (2002) reported that HIV/AIDS is now found in all states of Nigeria. It is equally believed that Nigerian ranked second in HIV infection in the sub-saharan Africa. The Federal Ministry of Health / UNAIDS (2001) technical report further reveals that about 2.6 million Nigerians between ages of 15 and 49 years are HIV positive. The figure increased to 3.1 million in 2002 with a national zero-prevalence rate of 5.8. Statistical sources from action plan on HIV/AIDS also reported that Benue State has the highest prevalence of 16.8 HIV/AIDS infection followed by Akwa Ibom with12.5. FCT ranks third with 10.2 while Jigawa State recorded the lowest incidence of 1.3 HIV/AIDS infection. Globally, UNAIDS, (2003) gave a rough estimates that the 10% world HIV/AIDS infection is from Nigeria, and it ranks second with sub-Saharan Africa. It is now confirmed that about 3.5 million Nigeria live with HIV/AIDS. This affirmation was made during the launching of National policy on HIV/AIDS at Abuja on August 4, 2004. The gloomy pictures of the above data not withstanding, they are nonetheless a warning signal of the national disaster regarded as the probable decimation of the sexually active and productive population in Nigeria (15-45 years) by the pandemic disease HIV/AIDS. In addition no woman would open her eyes and see her children wasting away. Origin of HIV/AIDS What is HIV/AIDS? According to the Mayo Clinic; AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). By damaging or destroying the cells of the immune system, HIV interferes with the body’s ability to effectively fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. This makes the body to be more susceptible to opportunistic infections the body would normally resist, such as pneumonia and meningitis and certain types of cancer. The virus and the infection itself are known as HIV. The term AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is used to mean the later stages of HIV infection. But both the terms HIV and AIDS refer to the same disease. That statement reveals that, an often-misunderstood reality- People don’t die directly from HIV/AIDS. The disease merely weakens the body’s ability to fight other diseases. When those other diseases attack, the weakened defense systems of an HIV/AIDS – Infected body have no resources with which to fight off that attack. This is part of what makes HIV/AIDS so dangerous. It doesn’t merely attack a person’s body; it acts as a sort of viral artillery that weakens the body’s defenses, making a person more vulnerable to almost anything else that might come along. Scientists have different theories about the origin of HIV, but none have been proven. The earliest known case of HIV was from giving a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Genetic analysis of this blood sample suggests that HIV- I may have stemmed from a single virus in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. We do know that the virus has existed in the United States since at least the mid-to-late 1970’s. From 1979-1981, rare types of pneumonia, cancer, and other illnesses were being reported by doctors in Los-Angeles and New York among a number of gay male patients. These were conditions not usually found in the people with healthy Immune Systems. In 1982 public health officials began to use the term “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome”, or AIDS, to describe the occurrences of opportunistic infections, Kaposi’s Sarcoma, and pneumonia in previously healthy men. Formal tracking (Surveillance) of AIDS cases began that year in the United States. As at July 1992, World Health Organization (WHO 1994) reported that more than 500,000 cases of AIDS from 168 countries and territories around the world. Although AIDS is a global epidemic, the pattern of infection varies from one region of the world to the other. For instance in North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand about 80%-90% cases occur in homo-sexual and drug users. Incident of HIV/AIDS was reported in different parts of Nigeria. Reasons adduced to this include: 401 B.O. Lawal (i) Careless sexual life styles of Nigerians. (ii) The high mobility of Nigerian population. (iii) Improved communication. (iv) Growth of trade and tourism and (v) The high level of other sexually transmitted diseases in Nigeria. In Nigeria, there is a high degree of premarital and extra-marital sex, which, is likely to pre dispose the population of Nigeria to HIV/AIDS epidemic. The sexual activities include homosexuality and bisexuality. Records in quite a number of hospitals like Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro; Federal Medical Hospital, Idi-Aba; General Hospital, Sokenu; all in Abeokuta, Unilorin teaching Hospital. Ilorin and General Hospital, Lagos; LUTH, Idi-Araba, Lagos reveals and confirms that there are many cases of people with HIV and full- blown AIDS in the states. Statement of the Problem This study investigated into the Hiv/Aids Awareness among secondary school teachers in Kwara, Lagos and Ogun States of Nigeria. Research Questions Based on the above, the following are the research questions asked and answered in the study. (i) What is HIV? (ii) What are its causes? (iii) How does it spread? (iv) To what extent are in the teachers aware of it? (v) To what extent have people in the area of study been affected by it? (vi) How can it be cured? (vii) How can it be prevented? (viii) What are its signs? (ix) What are its consequences? Research Hypothesis Ho1 There is no significant relationship between the teachers level of HIV/AIDS awareness and their age. Ho2 There is no significant different between single and married teachers in their level of HIV/AIDS awareness. Scope of the Study This study is limited to Kwara, Lagos and Ogun States. The researchers randomly selected schools from three Local Government Areas in each State. Therefore, the study covers all secondary schools in the states being studied. Aids Onslaught in other Countries Statistics reveal that rates of infection are also increasing rapidly in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. At the end of 1999 the number infected in Eastern Europe was 420,000. By the end of 2000, that figure was conservatively estimated to have risen to 700,000. A survey conducted in six large American cities revealed a 12.3 percent rate of HIV infection among young gay men. Furthermore, 29 percent of those who were HIV positive knew that they were HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria 402 infected. The epidemiologist who led the survey said: “we were so disheartened to find out that so few HIV- positive men know they were infected. That means newly infected people are transmitting the virus without knowing it”. At a meeting of AIDS experts in Switzerland in May 2001, this deadly disease was declared “the most devastating pandemic in human history. “As noted, the AIDS onslaught has been particularly severe in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aids Spreads in Africa The United Nation special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, echo the concern of many about the AIDS situation in Sub-Saharan Africa thus: “we’re dealing with a kind of contemporary apocalypse”. There are many reasons why HIV spreads in Africa. AIDS on its own has exacerbated other problems. The following conditions that prevail in some lands in Africa and in other parts of the world are responsible for why AIDS is gaining ground. Morality Sexual contact is the primary means of HIV infection, a lack of clear moral standards evidently promote the spread of the disease. Many feel, though, that it is not practical to advocate sexual abstinences for the unmarried. A newspaper in Johannesburg, South Africa, The Star writes “To simply warn teens to abstain from sex will not work. They are bombarded daily with sexual images of what they should look like and how they should behave.” This analysis appears to be confirmed by the conduct of young people. For example, a survey in one country indicated that about a third of youths between the ages of 12 and 17 had engaged in sexual intercourse. Rape has been described as a national emergency in South Africa. A news report in the Citizen newspaper of Johannesburg stated that it “is so rampant that it overtakes every other health risk posed to this country’s women and, increasingly, to its children as well.” The same Citizen noted: “the rape of children has developed in recent times… These acts are committed seemingly in perpetuation of the myth that an HIV carrier who rapes a virgin will be cured”. Awake 2002. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) There is a high rate of STDs in the region. The South African Medical Journal noted: “The presence of an STD increases the risk of HIV – 1 infection two to five (2-5) fold.” Inadequate Medical Facilities Limited medical facilities have been over taxed even more as a result of AIDS. Two large hospitals report that over half the medical in- patients are HIV positive. The Principal Medical Officer of one hospital in Kwa Zulu-Natal said that his wards operate at 140% capacity. At times, two patients have to share a bed, and a third one will be on the floor underneath it! South Africa Medical Journal. Poverty Many countries in Africa are battling poverty, and this creates a climate favorable to the spread of AIDS. What may be considered basics in developed countries are not available in most developing lands. Large communities do not have electricity and no access to clean drinking water. In rural areas roads are inadequate or non-existent. Many residents suffer from malnutrition, and medical facilities are minimal. AIDS has a negative impact on businesses and industry. As more employees become infected, mining companies and manufacturers are feeling the effects of lost production. Some are considering ways to automate and mechanize certain operations in order to compensate. It was estimated that at one platinum mine in the year 2000, the number of AIDS cases among employees nearly doubled, and about 26% of the workers were infected. 403 B.O. Lawal A sad outcome of AIDS is the large number of children who become orphans when their parents succumb to the disease. In addition to losing parents and financial security, these children must endure the stigma attached to AIDS. Extended family members or communities are often either too poor to give assistance or are not willing to do so. Many orphans drop out of school. Some turn to prostitution and thus increase the spread of the disease. A number of countries have established government or private programmes to give assistance to these orphans. Culture In many African countries the family social system is patrilineal. Thus, women are often not in a position to question their partners about extra-marital affairs, to refuse sexual contact, or to suggest safer sexual practices. Cultural beliefs often reflect ignorance and denial about AIDS. For example, the illness may be blamed on witchcraft, and help may be sought from witch doctors. There are also prevalent cases of polygamy and permissive adultery. There are cases of widow inheritance in Africa. People inherit the wives of their late brothers, uncles, relations, etc. Other cultural issues include tattooing, scarification marks and beauty marks incisions. Myths That fuel the spread of HIV epidemic. Many people in many quarters erroneously still believe that HIV/AIDS is not real. Some believe that it is a ‘white man’s’ invention and is a disease of the ‘whites’. Some Africans erroneously believe that sex with virgin can cure HIV infection. Misconceptions Some people think that only a promiscuous person can be infected with HIV/AIDS, that is, HIV infection does not occur through a single sexual contact, so they feel it has to be several contacts before infection can occur Some think that HIV infection is prevented by not ejaculating. Signs and Symptoms Once a person has come in contact with the virus, he or she may remain healthy and good looking for sometime, before symptoms and signs begin to appear, and the only way to know that the person has the virus is by positive blood test. When the immunity begin to break down, they may come with symptoms and signs such as severe weight loss, fever, lasing for more than one month, chronic diarrhea lasting more than one month, persistent severe fatigue, skin irritation, mouth ulcers/infections, swollen glands, constant cough, light sweats, prolonged headache, chest infection particularly dry cough, persistent infection which refuses to go after all medication, colicky abdominal pain, oral lesions as leukoplekia, cannibal plagues, tumors, esophageal, viral infection. Many of these signs and symptoms are also signs and symptoms of other illness. Hence, the only sure way to determine if some has HIV/AIDS is through a blood test. Effects of HIV/AIDS in the Human Body When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are immune cells that normally protects from disease. The immune system is that flexible, but highly specialized human biological (defence) equipment, whose main job is to protect the body, destroy infected and maligment cells are clear the debris. The hallmark of HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called T-helper, or CD4, cells. As the virus grows, it damages or kills these and other cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the person vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other illness ranging from pneumonia to cancer. HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria 404 Methodology Research Design The design for this study is basically a survey research method. This is because the effects of the independent variables have occurred prior to the study since the research cannot be manipulated. Population of the Study The population for this study comprises the teachers in Lagos, Ogun and Kwara States of Nigeria. They are both male and female teachers. Sample and Sampling Technique The teachers used for this study were randomly selected from various schools used in Lagos, Ogun and Kwara State. 30 teachers were used in each state making a total number of 90 respondents used for the study. Instrument for Data Collection The study made used for structured questionnaire for gathering of information. The questions gave the respondents the freedom to express their view without reservation. The questionnaire is divided into two sections, the first section contains the bio data of the respondents. The second section consists the aspect for gathering the desired information. A four point like scale rating scale of strongly agreed, agreed, strongly disagreed and disagreed were used. Which enables the respondents to indicate the extent of agreement or disagreement with the items were used in the questionnaire. Vality of Instrument Face and content validity was done for the study. This was done by an expert in the field of study NACA office and also an expert counselor in the department of guidance and counseling university of Ibadan. This was done to ensure that the questionnaire items were appropriately framed and is testing the purpose for which it is designed. Procedure for Data Collection A total number of 90 questionnaires were administered in the three states. 30 questionnaires were administered in each state and collected back immediately. This enables the researcher to have a high rate of return and enables the respondents some classification on any issue raised in the questionnaire. Method of Data Analysis In the data analysis, simple percentage was applied as related to the research topic. For the B part of the questionnaire, the likert method of summated ratings is used. The teachers and responses were scored. Report Research Question 1 What is HIV/AIDS to the teachers? 405 Table 1: Item no 12 B.O. Lawal The teachers meaning of HIV/AIDS. Statement HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease between a man and a woman. HIV/AIDS is not a contagious disease. SA 23(25.6) A 43(47.8) UN 2(2.2) D 16(17.8) SD 3(3.3) Mean 3.64 Std D 1.31 13 9(10.0) 23(25.6) 20(22.2) 19(21.1) 11(12.2) 2.73 1.45 Table 1 Reveal that most of the teachers agreed that HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease between a man and a woman (x = 3.64). The responses of the teachers on whether HIV/AIDS is not a contagious disease is undecided (x = 2.73) -25.6% agreed, 33.3% disagreed while 22.2% indicated undecided. Therefore, the teachers’ definition of HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease between a man and a woman. Research Question 2 What do the teachers believe to be the causes of HIV/AIDS? Table 2: Item no24 Causes of HIV/AIDS according to the teachers. Statement Someone can contact HIV/AIDS by touching. HIV/AIDS can be contacted sharing sharp objects. Blood transformation can also cause HIV/AIDS. Teacher can contact HIV/AIDS through body contact. Teacher who visit brothels can contact HIV/AIDS SA 11(12.2) A 52(57.8) UN _ (0.0) D 15(16.7) SD12 (13.7) Mean3.64 3.64 StdD1.28 1.28 25 61(67.8) 20(22.2) 2(2.2) 4(4.4) 3(3.3) 4.47 .99 27 52(57.8) 22(24.4) 2(2.2) 10(11.1) 4(4.4) 4.20 1.19 28 15(16.7) 26(28.9) 9(10.0) 35(38.9) 5(5.6) 3.21 1.25 30 17(18.9) 4(4.4) 25(27.8) 25(27.8) 16(17.8) 2.69 1.42 Table 2: Shows that the teachers agreed that HIV/AIDS can be contacted by sharing sharp objects (x = 4.47), they agreed that blood transfusion can be cause HIV/AIDS (x = 4.20). other ways mentioned in the table were not supported by the teachers. Research question 3 How does HIV/AIDS, spread according to the teachers? HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria Table 3: Item no 12 13 18 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 406 How HIV/AIDS Spreads Statement HIV/AIDS is a sexually… HIV/AIDS is not a contagious disease. HIV/AIDS can be transferred… Someone can contact… HIV/AIDS can be contacted… Irrespective of all… Blood transfusion can… Teachers can contact… Teachers who visit… HIV/AIDS is not meant… SA 23(25.6) 9(10.0) 18(20.0) 11(12.2) 61(67.8) 5(5.6) 52(57.8) 15(16.7) 17(18.9) 27(30.0) A 43(47.8) 23(25.6) 13(14.4) 52(57.8) 20(22.2) 18(20.0) 22(24.4) 26(28.9) 4(4.4) 34(37.8) UN 2(2.2) 20(22.2) 14(15.6) -(0.0) 2(2.2) 24(26.7) 2(2.2) 9(10.0) 25(27.8) 3(3.3) D 16(17.8) 19(21.1) 23(25.6) 15(16.7) 4(4.4) 25(27.8) 10(11.1) 35(38.9) 25(27.8) 9(10.0) SD 3(3.3) 11(12.2) 22(24.4) 12(13.3) 3(3.3) 14(15.6) 4 (4.4) 5(5.6) 16(17.8) 14(15.6) Mean 3.64 2.73 2.80 2.61 4.47 4.30 4.20 3.12 2.69 3.47 Std D 1.31 1.45 1.47 1.28 .99 7.33 1.19 1.25 1.42 1.55 Table 3: Reveal that the teachers agreed that: [1] HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease (x = 3.64). [2] HIV/AIDS can be contacted by sharing sharp objects (x = 4.47) [3] Blood transfusion can also cause HIV/AIDS and [4] HIV/AIDS is not meant for well disciplined teacher (x = 3.47) The teachers disagreed that irrespective of all precautionary steps someone can still contact HIV/AIDS (x = 4.30). In the remaining items on the table their responses about them could be categorized as undecided since the mean scores are approximately 3. Research Question 4 To what extent are the teachers aware of HIV/AIDS? 407 Table 4: Item No 12 13 14 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B.O. Lawal Teachers Awareness Of Hiv/Aids Statement HIV/AIDS is a sexually… HIV/AIDS is not a contagious…… HIV/AIDS is a prevalent…… HIV/AIDS is common… HIV/AIDS cannot kill. HIV/AIDS can be transferred…… Western Countries are…… HIV/AIDS can not reduce… Female teachers are the carrier of. … Male teachers are the carrier… Someone can contact HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS can be contacted… Irrespective of all precautionary…… Blood transfusion can also cause…… Teachers can contact HIV/AIDS.. Single mothers can spread HIV/… Teachers who visit brothels… HIV/AIDS is not meant…… Weighted Average SA 23(25.6) 9(10.0) 13(14.4) 12(13.3) 14(15.6) 18(20.0) 12(13.3) 9(10.0) (10.0) 4(4.4) 11(12.2) 61(67.8) 5(5.6) 52(57.8) 15(16.7) 8(8.9) 17(18.9) 27(30.0) A 43(47.8) 23(25.6) 26(28.6) 16(17.8) 44(48.9) 13(14.4) 28(31.1) 32(35.6) 7(7.8) 12(13.3) 52(57.8) 20(22.2) 18(20.0) 22(24.4) 26(28.9) 22(24.4) 4(4.4) 34(37.8) 2(2.2) 24(24.7) 2(2.2) 9(10.0) 22(24.4) 25(27.8) 3(3.3) UN 2(2.2) 20(22.2) 18(20.0) 16(17.8) 4(4.4) 14(15.6) 20(22.2) 10(11.1) 12(13.3) 11(12.2) D 16(17.8) 19(21.1) 17(18.9) 31(34.4) 21(23.3) 23(25.6) 10(11.1) 20(22.2) 47(52.2) 49(54.4) 15(16.7) 4(4.4) 25(27.8) 10(11.1) 35(38.9) 22(24.4) 25(27.8) 9(10.0) SD 3(3.3) 11(12.2) 13(14.4) 15(16.7) 4(4.4) (24.4) 20(22.2) 19(21.1) 12(13.3) 14(15.6) 12(13.3) 3(3.3) 14(15.6) 4(4.4) 5(5.6) 16(17.8) 16(17.8) 14(15.6) Mean 3.64 2.73 3.00 2.77 2.42 2.80 2.98 2.91 2.39 2.37 2.61 4.47 4.30 4.20 3.12 2.82 2.69 3.47 Std. D 1.31 1.45 1.40 1.30 1.23 1.47 1.37 1.36 1.22 1.04 1.28 .99 7.33 1.19 1.25 1.24 1.42 1.55 3.09 (61.88%) Table 4 shows that the participants agreed that HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted diseases between a man and a woman (x = 3.64); they agreed that it can be contacted by sharing sharp objects (x = 4.47), they agreed that blood transfusion can also cause it (x = 4.20); and that it is not meant for well disciplined teacher (x = 3.47). The teacher disagreed that HIV/AIDS carried kill (x = 2.42); they disagreed that female teachers are the carrier of HIV/AIDS (x =2.39); they were undecided on other items. The weighted average is 3.09, which gives 61.88%. This implies that about 62% of the teachers were adequately aware of HIV/AIDS. Research Question 5 How can HIV/AIDS be managed according to the teacher? HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria Table 5: Item no 3 408 How To Manage HIV/AIDS Among The Teacher. Statement Teachers should be encouraged to go for a medical re-examination annually. HIV/AIDS patients should not be stigmatized. Free medical care should be provided for HIV/AIDS patients. There should be financial aid to HIV/AIDS patients. HIV/AIDS patients should not be treated as second citizens. SA 31(34.4) A 59(43.3) UN 3(3.3) D 11(12.2) SD 3(3.3) Mean 3.83 Std D 1.30 9 32 33 34 30(33.3) 41(45.6) 64(71.1) 41(45.6) 37(41.1) 44(48.9) 20(22.2) 32(35.6) _ (0.0) 2(2.2) 7(7.8) 12(13.3) 2(2.2) 2(2.2) 4(4.4) 4(4.4) 3(3.3) _ (0.0) _ (0.0) 3.76 4.31 4.56 4.09 1.44 .87 .94 1.15 Table 5 reveals that the teachers agreed that teachers should be encourage to go for a medical re-examination annually (x = 3.83); they agreed that HIV/AIDS patients should not be stigmatized (x =3.76); they agreed that free medical care should be provided (x =4.31) and they agreed that HIV/AIDS patients should not be treated as second class citizens (x = 4.09). They strongly agreed that there should be financial aids to HIV/AIDS patients (x = 4.56). Research Question 6 How can HIV/AIDS be prevented? Table 6: Item no 1 4 5 6 Revelation of HIV/AIDS according to the teachers. Statement Government should end… Guidance and Psychology… Secondary school… Both the federal and state… Religious leaders should. Nigerian govt should… Sex education should.… Teachers should read… Fornication should… SA 62 (68.9) 35 (38.9) 30(33.3) 42(46.7) A 23 (25.6) 38 (42.2) 35(38.9) 41(45.6) UN 2(2.2) 12 (13.3) 9(10.0) 2(2.2) D - (0.0) - (0.0) SD - (0.0) - (0.0) - (0.0) - (0.0) Mean 4.53 4.03 3.63 4.22 Std D .99 1.19 10(11.1) - (0.0) 1.55 1.16 7 8 11 19 35 42(46.7) 42(46.7) 24(26.7) 27(30.0) 55(61.1) 40(44.4) 37(41.1) 57 (63.3) 55(61.1) 26(28.6) 2(2.2) 2(2.2) 4(4.4) 2(2.2) 2(2.2) - (0.0) - (0.0) - (0.0) - (0.0) 4.18 4.13 4.04 1.24 1.25 .97 .83 4(4.4) 2(2.2) 4(4.4) 5(5.6) 2(2.2) 2(2.2) 4.41 .95 Table 6 reveals that teachers agreed with all the items in the table since all the mean scores are approximately 4. This implies that the ways to prevent HIV/AIDS are: (i) Government endeavour to support the HIV/AIDS prevention, 409 (ii) B.O. Lawal Guidance/counselors need to train the secondary school teachers how to prevent this deadly disease, (iii) Teachers should not engage in multiple relationships, (iv) Federal and State Government should embark on vigorous campaign, (v) Religious leaders should educate their members, (vi) International organizations like WHO should help to curtain the spread of it, (vii) Sex education should be introduce to the teachers, (viii) Teachers should read widely about it and fornication should not be encouraged among the teachers. Ho1: There is no single relationship between the teachers’ level of HIV/AIDS awareness and their age. Table 7: Summery of pears on product mount correlation. N 90 90 Mea n 3.32 59.4 4 Std D 2.45 11.3 7 R _.115 P 280 Remark Not Significant. Variable Teachers’ Age Teachers’ Awareness Table 7 reveals that the relationship age and teachers awareness of HIV/AIDS is negative i.e. the older the teachers were, the less their awareness. But this relationship is not statistically significant. (r = -0.115, p>.05). Therefore, the null hypothesis 1 is not rejected. Ho2: There is no significant difference between single and married teachers in their level of HIV/AIDS awareness. Table 8: Summary of total test table. N 31 58 Mean 61.16 58.71 Std. D 12.15 10.96 t .969 St 87 P .335 Remark Not Significant. Variable Teachers’ Awareness: single married Table 8 reveals that the difference between single and married teachers in their awareness of HIV/AIDS is not significant (t- value = 0.969, degree of freedom = 87; p>.05). Therefore, the null hypothesis 2 is not rejected. Conclusion The result from the research carried out reveals that the level of awareness is still low. Everybody needs to get a greater consciousness about the great danger HIV/AIDS pose to the generality of mankind. As it were, you cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she has infection of HIV or has AIDS. An infected HIV can appear completely healthy. But anyone infected with HIV can infect other people, even if they have no symptoms. It becomes imperative to take adequate precautions to avoid being infected. Anyone who has been engaged or involved with multiple sex partners or into drugs or tattooing it is very necessary to get tested Recommendations The following recommendations are made: HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Secondary School Teachers in Kwara, Lagos & Ogun States of Nigeria • • • • • • 410 Individuals are enjoined to abstain from promiscuity –avoid both pre-marital and extra-marital sex. “Abstinence is definitely safe” (AIDS) should be everyone’s maxim. Young people should be given awareness about HIV/AIDS Individuals can sponsor an AIDS education event of raise finds with your local school, community group, or religious organization Government should provide adequate funding for AIDS research, prevention education, medical care, and support services Do not stigmatize HIV/AIDS victims Discuss the pandemic with people around you for awareness purpose References [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] Akintoye, S. (1991) AIDS: Worries over Measures, The Guardian Home News. Jan, 21. Amfar (2006) Basic Facts about HIV/AIDS www. AmfAR.net Awake (2002) The Most Devastating Pandemic in Human History. New York Inc, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society U.S.A. Vol. 83 No 21 Christian Women Mirror (2006) HIV Scourge: Don’t be a victim Lagos, Life Press Limited, 6, Ayodele Okeowo Street. Gbagada. Vol.13, No.8. Eweniyi, G. (1998) Counselling for Death and Dying. The Case of People with AIDS Infections. 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