Prevalence Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Among Youths

Abstract

Youths are persons between the age of 15 and 24 years of age. They are at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease. It is a period that can be marked by the need to try out new things such as sex, injection of drugs etc. youths account for nearly half of the newly acquired HIV infection in the globe. The research was on the prevalence of HIV infection among youths, a case study of Cottage Hospital Ukana, EssienUdim: A total number if fifty (50) youths including male and female were tested between November and December, 2019 and nine (9) positive cases was gotten (18%) with five (5) positive females and four (4) positive males indicating a decline in the prevalence of HIV among youths

Chapter One

• Introduction

As defined by the World Health Organist ion (WHO), youths are persons between the age of 15 and 24 years of age. This age is characterirized rapid physical growth and development as well as sexual maturation. According to Idale, P., et al (2011) youths are most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is a period that can be marked by the need to try out new things such as sex, experiment with injectable drugs as well as other drug types. As a result of engaging in these high riskbehaviours, there has been an upsurge in the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases among youths.

HIV accounted for the second largest number of deaths among adolescents in 2013. In the WHO African, fewer than 1 in 5 girls and an even smaller proportion of boys aged 15-24 years know their HIV status. Young people account for nearly half of new HIV infections in most regions. It is believed that cases of HIV infection diagnosed among 15-24 years old are indicated of overall trends in HIV incidence high-risk sexual behaviour and HIV infection is likely to be recently acquired.

As of 2007, there were 1.2 billion young people aged 15-24 in the World with an estimated 10 million living with HIV. Current estimations by UNAIDS suggest that more than 1 million new HIV infections occur in the 15-14 age group each  year, representing over 40% of Worldwide new infections. However, many youths are limited by social and economic status especially in the rural areas and therefore access to services constrained. (UNAIDS, 2013).

• Background of the Study

Globally, 36.7 million people were living with HIV infection at the end of 2015, and 2.1 million of these infections were newly acquired in that year with  young people accounting for nearly half of the newly acquired infection.  Writing n on the prevalence of HIV infection among youths in Cottage Hospital Ukana, in Essienudim Local Government Area is necessary as Ukana is rural area and as such the youths and inhabitants of the area do not have excess to HIV/AIDS services and necessary information about the infection.

Moreso,many youths in the area have never been tested for HIV and therefore do not know their status despite engaging in risky behaviours such as unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of sharp objects.

It has also been found out that young people account for nearly half of new HIV infections in most regions and therefore making it pertinent to go into this research in order to find out the prevalence of HIV infection and its risk factors among youths in Ukana, EssienUdim Local Government area of AkwaIbom State.

• Aims and Objectives

• To know the percentage prevalence of HIV infection among youths in Cottage Hospital Ukana.
• To ascertain the HIV awareness and risk perception among youths.
• To highlight modes of transmission of Human Immunodeficiency virus infection among youths.
• To create awareness on the barriers to HIV prevention among young people (youths).
• To highlight the signs and symptoms associated with HIV infections.
  • Scope of the Study

This research is limited to youths in Cottage Hospital Ukana, EssienUdim Local Government Area of AkwaIbom State and it covered a period of three (3) months (October- December, 2019).