Knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS and its socio-demographic determinants among undergraduates in a Southern Nigeria University

Background: Globally, young people are at increased risk of the infection from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aims to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its sociodemographic determinants among university undergraduate students. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 296 full-time undergraduates of the University of Benin using semistructured self-administered questionnaires. Results: The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The modal age group was 20-24 years (55.7%). Respondents reported multiple sources of information, with television as the major source of information (72.9%). Almost all (98.0%) of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS while 65.5% knew their HIV status. The majority (91.9%) of the respondents knew that a virus causes HIV/AIDS and 97.3% had correct knowledge of the modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS. Correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and cure was reported by 88.5% and 62.5% of the respondent, respectively. The overall mean knowledge score is 8.1. There was no statistically significant difference in the self-knowledge of respondent's HIV status among young people aged less than 25 years compared with those 25 years and above (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 0.02-16.02, p 0.683) and sex (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.58-1.65, p 0.006). Conclusion: This study revealed an overall good knowledge of HIV/AIDS among university undergraduates. However, there were some knowledge gaps in the self-knowledge of HIV status as well as the cause and modes of transmission of HIV which may potentially influence risky behaviours. There should be sustained efforts by all stakeholders on HIV education and testing at various ecological levels

Pattern of mental ill health morbidities following hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disorders among Nigerian women.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the pre and post hysterectomy mental ill health (MIH) status and also, to determine whether there is any association with the surgical indication. METHODOLOGY: An observational study, conducted among women scheduled for hysterectomy at the University College Hospital, Ibadan from January till June 2005. The MIH morbidities were assessed using a validated general health questionnaire (GHQ) before and after the surgery by trained research assistant. The score of 4 and above was used as the cut off. Cross tabulations were performed to detect any association and also to compare pre and post hysterectomy mental health status. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 50 women recruited, 45 participated in the study. The age range of the participants was 35 to 63 years with a mean of 48.6 (SD = 0.6) years. Anxiety related disorder was present in 20 (44.4%), and depression in 3 (6.7%) before hysterectomy. Post surgery, there was significant increase in those with anxiety by 6.8% and a reduction in the proportion of depressive illness by 2.3%. Uterine fibroid as a preoperative diagnosis, had significant association among those with anxiety related disorder (68.4%) and depression (10.5%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mental ill health may complicates hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology among Nigerian women, and that anxiety related disorders increases after operation with the highest proportion in those with clinical diagnosis of Uterine Fibroid. We recommend adequate preoperative counseling using properly trained psychologists when affordable to minimize these morbidities.