Advances in Pediatric Research
Open Access

Abstract

Awareness and knowledge of HIV and its effect on ocular health among the Nigerian graduate youth corps

Abdulkabir Ayansiji Ayanniyi, Kehinde Fasasi Monsudi, Taofik Kolawole Oduola, Fatai, Olasunkanmi Olatunji

Background: This survey of Nigerian youth corps graduates assessed their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its association with ocular health. Methods: Nigerian youth corps graduates were surveyed using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The study included 181 participants, including 95 males, with a mean age of 26 years. Results: 94.5% of the graduates knew the full HIV and AIDS acronyms; only 10 gave either the wrong expanded form or did not know it. 60.8% knew that HIV had no cure, while 22.7% believed that it did. Mass media and health workers were the two most common sources of information about HIV/AIDS. Most members of the corps knew sexual intercourse (97.2%), contaminated blood (91.7%), contaminated sharps (89.5%), and placental transfer or breastfeeding (80.1%) could transmit HIV. About two-fifths of the corps knew HIV could affect the eyes (42%), be contracted through tears (40.9%), and cause blindness (38.7%). However, at least one-fifth believed that HIV could not be contracted through these means. Moreover, about half of the participants did not know that HIV had been isolated from tears (52.5%), intraocular fluids (54.1%), and eye tissues (52.5%) or that it could be contracted through donor eye tissue (44.8%). 26.5% knew that an eye condition could be the first symptom of the onset of HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: This study revealed a high level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among Nigerian youths. However, gaps in knowledge of HIV and the need to drive HIV prevention should be addressed through continuing HIV education.