HIV/AIDS knowledge among senior secondary school students in Nigeria: A rural-urban difference

Background: HIV/AIDS education remains a key component of HIV prevention strategies. In this study, we assessed urban and rural differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge among senior secondary school students in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methods: This cross sectional study included 372 senior secondary school students aged 15-19 years from four communities. The study data were collected using a self- administered questionnaire after informed consent have been sought and obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to describe variables of interest and independent t-test was used to assess differences in the mean HIV/AIDS knowledge scores obtained by rural and urban participants. Analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 19.

Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in HIV/AIDS knowledge among the student participants. Students from the urban communities had higher mean scores, indicating higher level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS (14.1; SD=3.4 vs. 11.4; SD=3.7; P < 0.001). Female students in urban schools had higher HIV/AIDS knowledge mean score (14.2; SD=3.1) compared with their male counterparts (13.8; SD=3.7) and both sexes in rural areas (Male: 10.6; SD=3.8; Female: 12.0; SD=3.6).Overall, the results showed that HIV/AIDS knowledge among the study participants was above average but some misconceptions on HIV/AIDS and related risk factors were recorded.

Conclusions: There was a significant rural-urban difference in HIV/AIDS knowledge among student participants. The study findings underscore the need for adequate HIV/AIDS-related health promotion and prevention efforts targeting rural secondary school students.