An increase in the number of reported cases of HIV/AIDS infection in Nigeria despite intensive anti-AIDS awareness campaign give rise for this study. From chapter one the researcher critically analyze the high increase of HIV/AIDS. It also consists of the objectives and research questions that were to be assessed in the research. Literatures on the study were viewed and use theoretically to analyze the study in chapter tow. Utilizing all the necessary scientific tools for data collection and analysis which helped in giving human face to the research work chapter three. In chapter four the researcher analyzed and interpreted the data collection and some findings were made. Based on the findings, the researcher made some recommendations, which could help to increase the impact of communication techniques on HIV/AIDS awareness in Owerri North L.G.A. of Imo state in Nigeria at large.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature Review 11
2.2 Theoretical Framework
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Design of the Study
3.2 Area of the Study
3.3 Scope of the Study
3.4 Population of the Study
3.5 Sample Size
3.6 Sampling Techniques
3.7 Instrument for Data Collection
3.8 Method of Data Collection
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Personal Data of the Respondents
4.2 Analysis of the Research Questions
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDING, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings 41
5.2 Conclusion 42
5.3 Recommendations 45
5.4 Limitation of the Study
5.5 Suggestion for Further Study
References
Appendix 50
Questionnaire
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
HIV is basically a health and social problem menacing the entire world and Nigeria at large. The first case of HIV was reported in Nigeria in 1985 and since then reported cases of this disease has become continous. This disease is said to be caused by Human Deficiency Virus (HIV).AIDS disease is terminal. The virus has the potential of hiding in places like the brain cells, the cells of the bone marrow, the cells in different places, and it develops resistance to drugs.
The HIV virus is such that can be transmitted by various means namely by sex, infected needles, blood transfusion, child-birth and other means. However the most prominent means is by SEX and hence more importantly by exchange of blood can lead to transmission of HIV.
According to the ministry of health in Nigeria, Nigerians infected with HIV, now number 3.47million and BENUE, AKWA IBOM, BAYELSA, ANAMBRA, and ABUJA are said to have the highest prevalence rate. The HIV scourage is actually threatening Nigeria, Africa, and the whole world at large.HIV disaproportionately affects future leaders. In Nigeria, ages 15 and 47 accounts for more than 70percent of HIV infections. Nearly 85percent of all HIV transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse.
The effect of this dreaded disease has increased efforts to make people become aware of the destructive effects of this disease. In this regards NGOS, international bodies and the government have through public lectures, seminars, handbills, newspapers and magazines and electronic media and other means created awareness to people on the nature and effects of HIV.
HIV/AIDS became a disease that has thrown the entire globe into confusion and an all night and day research to put a stop to its spread and killing. One of the major tools among others used by the IMO STATE government and other concerned agencies within the country and state is communication technique.
Communication is believed to be the most appropriate channel through which the far-flung hetergenous people within the country and state could be reached as quickly as possible and subsequently informed and/or educated about the disease and what is used to prevent, curb, and hopefully totally overcome it. The importance of communication technique is obvious. When you are working to combat a disastrous and growing emergency you should use every tool at your disposal. Communication technique has tremendous reach and influence, particularly with young people, who represent the future and who are the key to any successful fight against HIV/AIDS.
It was also noted that many people in IMO STATE(OWERRI NORTH L.G.A) especially women, do not have correct information on HIV/AIDS issue, some of the women are still engaging in risky sexual behavior and commercial sex work to generate income due to poverty. The state has HIV/AIDS support group, which still consist of PLWHAS, who barely understand the implications of the state of their health, this could be attributed to lack of proper education. The high level of stigmatization is still very high, making it difficult for people to declare their HIV/AIDS status and when death occurs it is usually attributed to witchcraft or other diabolical powers.
Few factors impact our ability to protect ourselves from HIV more than our level of self esteem. Recently, young people in Nigeria have been moderately affected by the global HIV epidemic. Today, however the HIV epidemic in Africa is one of the most rapidly increasing epidemic in the world. It is mainly concentrated to vulnerable groups such as intravenous drug users, sex workers, the purchase of sexual services and the financially marginalized. Young sexually active people may however be the gateway for the epidemic to the general population and knowledge about their attitudes and behavior is therefore important in planning preventive measures.
The IMOSACA (IMO STATE AGENCY FOR THE CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS) director general DR ETELBERT ANYANWU noted that the forum towards eradication of HIV became necessary towards ensuring that IMO STATE continues on its downward trends in the preventive rate from 4.6% in 2008 to 3.0% in 2012 stressing that the agency is posed to strengthen networking of partners and collaborative efforts at the rural level especially, while emphasizing that the forum will be a quarterly event to ensure improvement of services at the communities where he said knowledge and awareness of the scourage was still low. IMOSACA DG, however appealed to its stakeholders to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS as the funds from donor agencies according to him, is dwindling and will stop someday.
A recent study by PETERS AND OLUGBEMIRO (2005) shows that the introduction of HIV/AIDS program at NOUN (national open university of Nigeria) would contribute to raising the level of awareness in the different segments of Nigeria society, stimulate research and create research networks on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It also noted that the programme would facilitate human resources capacity building and support positive behavioural changes. An earlier study by ADERIONYE and OJEKHETA (2004) investigated the links between DE and HIV/AIDS. This study shows that DE in Nigeria and throughout the contient of Africa is helping to democratize and spread knowledge, even to those living in remote, marginalized and isolated communities. In another study, PRIDMORE AND YATES (2006) examined the strength of open, distance and flexible education in HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation. These scholars argued that to confront AIDS and meet millennium developments goals (MDGS) in countries where HIV/AIDS is prevalent, government must go beyond current efforts and accelerate conventional response. This can be achieved by increasing access and quality of education and schooling, raising public consciousness and encouraging people to practice healthy behavior.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In view of the fact that there has, been an increase in reported number of HIV cases in the world but Nigeria in particular, which has a high rate of it despite intensive public awareness and campaigns. Available records show that there has been rapid and constant rise in the number of cases of HIV reports in Nigeria. AIDS moitor (1993) report , that since the discovery of the first cases of HIV in Nigeria in 1985 there has been a steady growth of more than one percent each year.
In September 1989, twenty-nine cases were reported in the country and over a three year period, five hundred and thirty cases were reported in 1992 alone. The PUNCH (1977)credited the residence advisor of the united nations AIDS programme in Nigeria saying that approximately 2.3million Nigerians aare carries of the HIV virus.
The problem, which was unheard of in this part of the world until 1980, is now a major issue for the public debate messages, warnings about the danger of contact. The dreaded virus has been circulated through handbills, posters, billboards, postcards, t shirts, prints and electronic media have also been actively involved in the campaign.HIV prevention and control information are found in schools, churches, offices, hotels, public joints, hospital, bus stops and in social gathering.
The federal and state ministries of health, which are the pivotal institutions of public health in Nigeria, are at the forefront of the campaign. Apart from the health ministries in Nigeria, several non-government organizations(NGO)have embarked on these preventive and control education campaign. These NGO include AIDS CONTROL PREVENTON PROGRAMME(AIDSCAP) and its affiliated agencies MOVEMENT AGAINST AIDS/STD(MAID),NIGERIAN YOUTHS AIDS PROGRAMME(NYAP), and SOCIETY AGAINST SPREAD OF AIDS(SASA)and others are YOUTH COMMITTED TO AIDS RELATED EDUCATION(YCARE).SOCIETY FOR WOMEN AND AIDS IN AFRICA(SWAA).Some voluntary and social services organization like GIRLS POWER INITIATIVE(GPA),WOMEN IN NIGERIA(WIN)SOCIETY FOR FAMILY HEALTH(SFH),PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF NIGERIA(PPFN)and WOMEN HEALTH EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMME(WHEAP).
Hence this research work is entailed to determine the level of impact of communication techniques on HIV awareness creation.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions summarize the purpose of this research.
1.6 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.
The objective of this study is to a certain view and study, the main social pathological research effort that is it is conceived to address the social problem of HIV/AIDS epidemics. To achieve this aim the study strives to meet the following specific objective.
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