KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF HIV/AIDS RISK BEHAVIOUR AMONG UNIVERSITY OF BENIN STUDENTS (IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION)

In the absence of medical examinations, the change in behaviour and attitude may only be considered a possible way to the prevention of HIV/AIDS prevalence. The basic purpose of this study was to ascertain the knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS risk behaviours among undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state. The study adopted the survey research design with a sample of one hundred undergraduate students that were randomly selected. Data was collected
with standardized instrument of questionnaire and was analyzed using percentage. Five research questions were raised to guide this study. Results of the study revealed that there is a high level of awareness on HIV/AIDS amongst students of the University of Benin. A proportion of the respondents still engage in risky acts like sharing of blades and clippers, risky sexual acts like Oral and anal sex. The study also reveal that the students were more informed about HIV/AIDS through billboards, posters and hand bills. It was recommended among others that more enlightenment campaigns should be organized on campus using the two-way
strategic approach (Inter-personal communication and the use of mass media). It was also suggested that sex education should be included in the curriculum of Nigerian tertiary institutions.