HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE TOWARDS PREMARITAL SEX AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CALABAR MUNICIPAL

TOPIC: HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE TOWARDS PREMARITAL SEX AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CALABAR MUNICIPAL

THIS TOPIC IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR: 
1. Public Health Department

2. Health Education Department

3. Sociology Department

4. Guidance and Counselling Department

This research material contains:

1-Chapter One to Five

2-Recent References/citations

3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four

4-Accurate Data Analysis

5-Table of Contents

6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine HIV/AIDS awareness and behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal. The study was specifically carried out to assess the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal, assess the attitudes of secondary school students towards premarital sex in Calabar Municipal, determine the influence of HIV/AIDS awareness on behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal and identify the factors influencing behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 4,200 secondary school students in Calabar Municipal. A sample size of 365 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, while 350 validated copies of the questionnaire were used for the final analysis. Multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods was adopted for the selection of the respondents. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics involving frequency counts, percentages and Pearson Chi-square statistical technique. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that secondary school students possessed a moderate level of HIV/AIDS awareness, with 68.6% of the respondents agreeing that they understood the modes of HIV transmission. The study also revealed that 69.1% of the respondents maintained positive attitudes towards abstaining from premarital sex, while 68.3% agreed that HIV/AIDS awareness had positively influenced their behavior towards avoiding premarital sex. Furthermore, 68.6% of the respondents agreed that school-based HIV/AIDS education and access to accurate sexual health information were important factors influencing behavior change. The hypothesis tested further revealed that HIV/AIDS awareness had a statistically significant influence on behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal at χ² = 58.436, df = 348, P = 0.021. The study therefore recommends that school authorities should strengthen HIV/AIDS education through regular awareness programmes and comprehensive sexuality education, while parents, teachers and health professionals should collaborate in providing continuous guidance and accurate sexual health information to secondary school students.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS Awareness, Behavior Change, Premarital Sex, Secondary School Students, Calabar Municipal

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
Adolescent human development is marked by accelerated biological growth and maturation, cognitive development, emotional changes, and increasing socialization and interactions, all of which have the potential to influence lifelong health outcomes. During this developmental time, young people are exposed to more and more information, values and expectations about sexuality, personal responsibility and health protection. Health-related beliefs and behavioural orientations are shaped by a combination of educational institutions, families, peer networks, religious organisations and digital communication platforms. Health awareness programs that are carried out throughout secondary school help to build adolescents' ability to make health-enabling choices (Harikrishnan and Sailo (2022)). Likewise, Baron (2022) argued for the need of extensive awareness campaigns that foster responsible behaviour not just for disease prevention but for a general health awareness. Ezelote et al. (2024) also stated that structured health education interventions have a significant impact on the knowledge acquisition and strengthening of positive behavioural intentions of adolescents, and Idiong et al. (2021) confirmed that inclusive reproductive health education is fundamental in promoting healthy lifestyles among learners with diverse educational needs.

HIV/AIDS awareness is a key component of school health programmes, which are generally important for adolescents, as it combines scientific information with behaviour requirements pertaining to sexual responsibility. HIV/AIDS awareness is defined as knowledge about modes of transmission, prevention, misconceptions, testing and personal risk assessment. Ojo et al. (2025) noted that awareness campaigns for secondary school students go beyond just information, emphasizing the importance of making informed sexual decisions and adopting safer behaviors. Orji et al., (2025) also noted that students' attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS may significantly influence their sexual behaviours and the adoption of preventive measures. Moreover, Nkomo and Akpan (2022) provided a reason why family characteristics can affect the perception of HIV/AIDS among adolescents which in turn accounts for the differences in behavioural orientation. This connection between awareness and behavior is further strengthened by educational interventions that enhance the knowledge and utilization of reproductive health services among young people (Adelekan et al., 2025; Chima-Oduko & Odeyemi, 2025).

HIV/AIDS awareness and behavioural orientation automatically leads to the subject of the premarital sex which is an important aspect of adolescent sexual behaviour. The personal attitudes, family values, peer interactions, cultural expectations and educational experiences of secondary school students play a role in determining their pre-marital sexual behaviour. Aleke et al. (2021) found that adolescents are engaging in different premarital sexual practices, depending on how they are socialized and their access to reproductive health information. Okah et al. (2023) also clarified that functional sexuality education helps foster positive attitudes towards premarital sex through informed decision-making and responsible behavior. Yedemie (2024) also indicated that the attitudes of adolescents with regard to pre-marital sexual practices are greatly influenced by psychosocial factors which represents the interplay between internal and external factors. In a similar vein, Adaramoye et al. (2025) claimed that parental guidance and resilience building enhance adolescents' ability to withstand risky sexual behaviours, which consequently helps to consolidate positive behavioural development in the secondary school years.

Awareness of HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards pre-marital sex and behavioural outcomes are all relevant in the context of the interaction between them and serve as a good basis to explore adolescents in specific educational contexts. Secondary schools in Calabar Municipal are suitable settings for evaluating the relationship between awareness of HIV/AIDS and behavioral change towards premarital sex as students are in the process of being formally educated, are influenced by their parents and peers and are exposed to community values. Utilisation of youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services is an indicator of adolescents' receptivity to sexual and reproductive health information and enabling educational systems (Adione et al., 2023). Chima-Oduko and Odeyemi (2025) also found that sex and reproductive health education through targeted interventions improves sexual and reproductive health knowledge and promotes positive sexual and reproductive health behaviours among youth. Likewise, Ojo et al. (2023) linked the sexual behaviour of adolescents to awareness and informed sexual health practices. In this context, an academic study of the level of HIV/AIDS awareness, students' attitudes to premarital sex, the impact of awareness on behavioural change and other factors is appropriate in this study of secondary school students in Calabar Municipal.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Secondary school-going adolescents are still facing a window of opportunity for learning about sexuality and HIV/AIDS via formal school curricula, media, peer relationships, and community health initiatives. While awareness programmes are now more prominent, it is not clear how this awareness is reflected in behavioural change with regard to premarital sex. Knowledge does not mean that the adolescent has attitudes and behavioural dispositions that will lead to sexual restraint or responsible sexual decision making. Harikrishnan and Sailo (2022) found that the awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS have increased among the students and Ezelote et al. (2024) reported that peer health education interventions improved the students' knowledge. But Orji et al (2025) found that the attitude and beliefs of students toward HIV/AIDS remain with varying relationship with their sexual practices. Likewise Baron (2022) argued that awareness does not always result in sexual risk behaviour, and hence, the effect of awareness on sexual risk behaviour needs to be investigated among secondary school students.

One of the problems that needs to be addressed is the difference in attitudes of adolescents towards premarital sex and factors influencing behavioural choices in secondary school. There is some evidence that the influences of parents, psychosocial characteristics, peer relationships, educational experiences and reproductive health information have different impacts on adolescents' sexual behaviour. Adaramoye et al. (2025) stated that parental influence enhances resistance to engaging in pre-marital sexual actions by adolescents. It has also been reported that functional sexuality education is correlated with healthy attitudes towards premarital sex by Okah et al. (2023) and Aleke et al. (2021) reported varying levels of premarital sexual practices among secondary school adolescents. In addition, Yedemie (2024) stated that there is a significant impact of psychosocial factors on attitudes towards premarital sexual practices. The presence of these various determinants makes it unclear what the relative importance of HIV/AIDS awareness is for behaviour change and therefore it is important to consider the relationship between the components in a specific educational population.

This study is even more compelling in the context of secondary schools in Calabar Municipal as adolescents are simultaneously exposed to school based health education, family, peers and community values. While some studies have been conducted to investigate the awareness about HIV/AIDS, sexual behaviour and reproductive health in Nigeria, few studies have focused on how HIV/AIDS awareness is specifically related to behaviour change towards pre-marital sex and students' attitudes and other factors that may influence the situation in Calabar Municipal. Nkomo and Akpan (2022) underscored the importance of family characteristics on the perception of HIV/AIDS and Ojo et al. (2023) linked sexual behaviour to reproductive health practices among secondary school students. Additionally, Chima-Oduko and Odeyemi (2025) showed that education interventions positively impact sexual and reproductive health outcomes while Adione et al. (2023) emphasized the need for supportive reproductive health services for adolescents. Therefore, this study is deemed necessary to determine the extent of HIV/AIDS awareness, to examine the attitudes of students towards pre-marital sex, to examine the impact of HIV/AIDS awareness on behavioural change and to identify factors that affect behavioural change among the secondary school students in Calabar Municipal and to provide empirical evidence that will help to strengthen adolescent health education and behavioural interventions.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine hiv/aids awareness and behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal.

Specific objectives are:

1.Assess the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal.

2.Assess the attitudes of secondary school students towards premarital sex in Calabar Municipal.

3.Determine the influence of HIV/AIDS awareness on behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal.

4.Identify the factors influencing behavior change towards premarital sex among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal.

Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypotheses

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter therefore focuses on the concept of HIV/AIDS, risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS, Level of HIV/AIDS awareness among secondary school students, concept of premarital sex etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
Conceptual Review

Theoretical Framework

Empirical Review

Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises secondary school students in Calabar Municipal, Cross River State.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 365 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire titled “HIV/AIDS Awareness and Behavior Change towards Premarital Sex among Secondary School Students in Calabar Municipal” as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics, such as Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses. The data were analyzed using SPSS, and the results were presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size

3.4 Sampling Technique

3.5 Instrument for Data Collection

3.6 Validity of the Instrument

3.7 Reliability of the Instrument

3.8 Method Of Data Collection

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

3.10 Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among secondary school students in Calabar Municipal is high, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.65, with item means ranging from 3.52 to 3.77, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that students understand how HIV is transmitted and reject common misconceptions about the disease.

ii. The study found that secondary school students in Calabar Municipal hold unfavourable attitudes towards premarital sex, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.64, with item means ranging from 3.51 to 3.75, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that most students favour abstinence, self-control and informed decision-making over premarital sex.

iii. The study found that HIV/AIDS awareness has a positive influence on behaviour change towards premarital sex among the students, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.64, with item means ranging from 3.53 to 3.74, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This was further confirmed by the hypothesis test, which showed a Pearson Chi-square value (χ²) of 58.436 and p-value of 0.021 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This implies that awareness of HIV/AIDS encourages students to avoid premarital sex.

iv. The study found that several factors influence behaviour change towards premarital sex among the students, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.65, with item means ranging from 3.56 to 3.74, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that school-based HIV/AIDS education, peer influence, parental guidance, access to accurate information, religious teachings and self-discipline all shape students’ sexual behaviour.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Discussion of Findings    

5.2 Implications of the findings

5.3 Limitations of the Study

5.4 Summary

5.5 Conclusion

5.6 Recommendations

5.7 Suggestions for Further Studies 

Reference
Appendix

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