Knowledge and Perception of HIV/AIDS Among Pre-Nursing Student At A Historically Black College and University (HBCU) By Joseph A. Adepoju, Ph. D., RN Delaware Sate University College of Education, Health and Public Policy Department of Nursing, Dover, DE Presented at the University of the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, School of Nursing St. Thomas, VI, Oct 17-19,2012

A GENERATION LATER The Scourge has permeated every sphere of society The Early Years Infection has spread to every group in the population Heterosexual men and women are infected Young people, especially college students age years

In the United States College students estimated to be at lower risk Many students still indulge in HIV risky sexual behaviors CDC states that HIV/AIDS is on the rise I in 5 college students are infected Risk taking with illusion of invulnerability Condoms not used consistently College students have multiple partners

In the United States (cont’d) Majority of African Americans are infected through heterosexual contact AA women far more affected than women of other races Rate of HIV infection fifteen times higher than that of Anglo-American women Three times higher than that of Hispanic women HIV/AIDS third leading cause of death among black women and men aged Black women accounted for 30% of new HIV in 2009 (CDC,2011)

In the United States (cont’d) Majority of African Americans are infected through heterosexual contact AA women more infected than women of other races Rate of HIV infection fifteen times higher than that of AA women The rate of infection three times higher than Hispanic women HIV/AIDS third leading cause of death among black women and men aged Black women accounted for 30% of new HIV in 2009 (CDC, 2011)

Review of Literature CDC reports that 50,000 people are infected yearly HIV has increased among MSMs Aas face severe burden of the disease Blacks in the U.S account for 46% of PLWA People of color at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS Other social determinants re: cultural norms and disparities, and restriction on sex education all play a role in being infected with HIV/AIDS

Literature Review (cont’d) Women account for about 1 in 4 new HIV/AIDS, and are greater risk for contracting HIV/AIDS Rural women acquire the disease through heterosexual contact College students knowledgeable about measures to prevent STDs and HIV infection. Condom usage known to be efficatious and effective in preventing HIV/AIDS (Apoola, 2011) Less than 20% of men and 5% of women used condoms on their previous sexual encounter (Adedimeji, 2011) College girls acknowledge their being at higher risk than their male counterparts (Choudhry, 2003)

HIV knowledge among International Students No sex education allowed among college students in Japan Lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS leads to many misconceptions about the transmission. Male college students used marijuana, alcohol and other illicit druds while having multiple sex partners (Adepoju, 2006) There were inconsistency in the use of condoms Students who were 20 years and under perceived themselves as having no chance of being infected with HIV/AIDS (Adefuye and others,2009) In certain parts of Africa (Botswana) alcohol used as a symbol of masculinity and high social economic status

Significance of the study College students do not practice responsible sexual behavior Educational attainment does not translate to a change in attitude 25% of heterosexual students are unfaithful to their partners 2 out of 3 African American women are infected infected with HIV College student constitute most-at risk group Every 10 minutes in America, somebody is being infected with HIV

Purpose of the Study HBCUs offer unique opportunities for African Americans to be educated The campus environment provides avenues for freedom to engage in unsafe sexual practices Students are still very knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, but still practice unsafe sexual activities This study investigates the the knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS among pre-nursing students at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)

Theoretical Underpinning Harm Reduction: Four Principles: 1. Abstinence may not be possible 2. Preserve health and wellbeing 3. Present accurate information to clients including their own beliefs 4. All people are capable of and should be encouraged and nurtured

Methodology Research Design, Setting and Sample: > Descriptive study using a survey questionnaire with IRB approval Survey had been used in two previous studies (Adepoju and others, 2007; 2009) Campus of a predominantly black college A convenient sample of 65 students

Analysis of Data Demographic Characteristics: 65 Pre-nursing students completed the survey Gender: Females 62; Males 3 54 (83%) African Americans 2 of mixed ethnicity re: African American/Native American parentage 2 Africans 1 Hispanic/Latina 3 Amglo Americans 1 hispanic/Anglo American; 2 Asians; 2 undeclared

Findings Majority claim to know that HIV can make people sick enough to die Nine students claim to be still virgins Age at sexual debut range from 13 t0 20 years of age Number of sexual partners in their lifetime range from one to as many as (sEE tables I & II)

Table I Age at Sexual Debut Age 13 n= 2 Respondents Age 14 n= 8 ditto Age 15 n= 12 ditto Age 16 n= 11 ditto Age 17 n= 9 ditto Age 18 n= 18 ditto Age 19 n= 2 ditto Age 20 n= 2 ditto

Table II: Number of Sexual Partners in Students’ lifetime One Partner 10 Respondents Two Partners 5 Three Partners 12 Four Partners 10 Five Partners 7 Six Partners 3 Seven Partners 4 Nine Partners 2 Eleven Partners 1 Thirteen 1 Twenty or more Partners 3

Responses to possibility of being infected or not being infected 74% (48) of the respondents state that they could be infected 18% (12) state they could not be infected Many claim to be married or “engaged” Others claim that because they have been in monogamous relationship, they are not likely to be infected Many claim (42 or 64%) because they have been in monogamous relationships, they would not insist on using condoms before sex Many of students (57 0r 88%) claim that they would not be afraid if their partners would not want to have sex without condoms

To Determine which is important: Partner’s love or Protecting their bodies 56 (86%) state that protecting their bodies is more important to them The same group state that they are not afraid of rejection if they insisted on their partners using condom before sex Only one respondent ranked love and approval more important to her Sevevteen of the respondents state that condom usage may their feeling of the sexual experience. Sixteen student state that it does not matter, while 23 students state that it is not important

Discussion It is commendable that there still virgins in this cohort Number of lifetime multiplex partners indicate high risk sexual behavior Knowledge of HIV/AIDS does not translate into condom use Risky sexual behaviors means not taking precautionary measures Women constitute MARPs

Conclusion and Recommendations Educators to include/integrate HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention measures in the curriculum Incorporate Curricular Infusion concepts as an approach to educate the students The approach of this concept is to introduce real life issues into the curriculum Prevention activities afford the students opportunity to be active learners Students to be involved in community prevention efforts

Limitation The study is only limited to one HBCU Efforts being made to reach out to other HBCUs for collaborative research

Thanks for Listening Any Questions please?