Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
D T Abaver and E N Cishe
Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir
The issue of homosexuality attracts global debate, given that this constitutes risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases. An exploration of socio-cultural, religious and sexual activities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex sector would inform future Human Immunodeficiency Virus programming. A cross-sectional study was conducted in all the five campuses of Walter Sisulu. Data was collected with the aid of questionnaire and interviews. A total of 721 participants completed the questionnaire. Most (71.1%) students are aware of homosexuals in the community and 79.4% believe having sex with same gender is abnormal and unnatural. Most (90.7%) participants are straight/heterosexuals while 2.1% are bisexual, 0.3% each identified themselves as gay and lesbians respectively. Homosexuality as a risk factor for transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus scored 55%. While 22.4% confirmed that their religion encourages them to accept people with sexual preference, 47.2% observed that their religion sees homosexuality as unnatural and wrong. Over seventy two percent (72.4%) confirmed that their culture does not accept same sex relationships. Homosexuality by students in WSU community exists. Generally, the act and behaviour of these students are not accepted by the community. Therefore, there is need for the University community to include in the school curriculum and design programs that will enlighten members of the community concerning the concept and practice of homosexuality.
D T Abaver has completed his PhD from University of Abuja in Parasitology. He is Chief Superintendent of Immigration Nigerian Immigration service, a paramilitary organization in the Ministry of Interior. He has published number of papers on HIV/AIDS, Immunology and Parasitology in reputed journals, such as African Health Science, Pakistani Journal of Medical Sciences, African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance (AJPHERD). He is a member of Nigerian Society of Parasitology and a fellow, Institute of Cooperate Administration. Currently, he is a Contract Researcher at Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa. His research interest includes Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and other Opportunistic Infections, preventive measures/techniques of HIV/AIDS, gender, age and sexual orientation as determinants for the impact of HIV/AIDS.
Email: dominicabaver@yahoo.com