RE-EMERGENCE OF HIV/AIDS: INSIGHHTS INTO THE PREVENTIVE PRACTICES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EGOR LGA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

they cause devastating long term consequences if untreated especially in adolescents. Post HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programmes and safe sex behaviour has waned especially among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess awareness and practice of preventive measures for HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. The study was a descriptive survey carried out among secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A total of 258 respondents participated in the study. They were selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected personally by the researcher while analysis was done using frequency counts and percentages. Out of 258 respondents, 91.5% were aware of HIV/AIDS, while the others were not aware. The most common mode of transmission was unprotected sex (68.0%). However some others still thought that mosquito bite and eating food prepared by an infected person are modes of transmission. Abstinence (44.9%), monogamous relationship (44.9%), use of condom (43.4%) and regular check-up (41.8%) were mostly considered to be measures for HIV/AIDS prevention. The study revealed that only 79(30.6%) out of the 258 respondents were sexually active. Among this group, 73.4% had more than one sexual partner, while 32.9% and 64.3% had never used condom or done HIV/AIDS screening respectively. Secondary school students in Egor Local Government are aware of HIV/AIDS, however misconceptions about the mode of transmission and low compliance of preventive measures among sexually active adolescents calls for concern. Efforts should therefore be intensified towards improving Knowledge of mode of transmission and safe practices for HIV/AIDS prevention among adolescents through sexual health education, media campaigns and seminars.