Introduction: Human Behavior is important as one of
the determinants of transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
infection. The risk of getting infected with HIV as well as subsequent
developments and reactions after the infection has a direct bearing on human
behavior. Positive behavior change of HIV infection prevention is less than the
level of awareness and knowledge pertaining the disease among PLWHA. Method: A
cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on PLWHA
attending clinic at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. A structured
interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data by systematic
random sampling technique. The objective of the research was to understand more
about the behaviour of PLWHA and make recommendations on how to improve the
behavioral change communications among PLWHA to curb the menace of HIV
infection. Results: The people living with HIV/AIDs may be knowledgeable and
having high awareness on HIV/AIDS but may not necessarily reflect into good
behaviors concerning, taking
the right steps to prevent menaces of HIV infection. The behavior of PLWHA was
found to have gaps that portend danger in regard
to making life more miserable to victims and portend more risk of getting
others infected. The gaps are mainly related to psychological issues (e.g.,
lack of enjoyment or with condom use), beliefs, stigma and financial issues. Conclusion:
Counselling should be used to inculcate technic, good morals, attitude and
practices among PLWHA to prevent them from deliberate or spontaneous attempts
to infect others with the virus. Safer and satisfying sex can be promoted through expanding knowledge and
awareness about HIV/AIDS and removing stigma among the general populace
through community health education as well as through schools’ curricula.
Empowerment of the youths in public and private settings discourages exchanging sexual intercourse for financial gains.
Cite this paper
Bolori, M. T. , Amodu, M. O. , Ahmad, I. M. , Yusuph, H. and Saleh, J. A. (2017). Behaviour of People Living with HIV Aids in Northeastern Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 4, e3944. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103944.
Funk, S., Salathe, M. and Jansen, V.A.A. (2010) Modelling the Influence of Human Behavior on the Spread of Infectious Diseases: A Review. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 7, 1247-1256. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2010.0142
Rosen, D.L., Schoenbach, V.J., Wohl, A.D., White, B.L., Stewart, P.W. and Golin, C.E. (2009) Characteristics and Behaviors Associated with HIV Infection among Inmates in the North Carolina Prison System. American Journal of Public Health, 99, 1123-1130. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2007.133389
Thanh, D.C., Hien, N.T., Tuan, N.A., et al. (2009) HIV Risk Behaviours and Determinants among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. AIDS and Behavior, 13, 1151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9451-8
Bandawe, C.R. (2002) Revisiting Human Behaviour in Relation to HIV/AIDS. Malawi Medical Journal: The Journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 14, 27-28.
Bolori, M.T., Aliyu, A.A. and Lawan, U.M. (2014) Perceptions of Sexual Behavior and Knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections among Undergraduate Students of University in North Western Nigeria. Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences, 4, 32-37. http://kjmsmedicaljournal.com/publications/kjms_4_2_Bolori_MT.pdf
Beyrer, C., Baral, S.D., Griensven, F., Goodreau, S.M., Chariyalertsak, S., Wirtz, A.L. and Brookmeyer, R. (2012) Global Epidemiology of HIV Infection in Men Who Have Sex with Men. The Lancet, 380, 367-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60821-6
Ajayi, B., Moses, A., Gashau, W. and Omotara, B. (2013) Assessment of Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of People Living with HIV/AIDS towards HIV/AIDS in Maiduguri, Northeast of Nigeria. Internet Journal of Infectious Diseases, 12, 1. https://print.ispub.com/api/0/ispub-article/1382
Yaya, I., Saka, B., Essoya, L., Patchali, P.M., Makawa, M., Senanou, S., et al. (2014) Sexual Risk Behavior among People Living with HIV and AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy at the Regional Hospital of Sokodé, Togo. BMC Public Health, 14, 636. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/ 1471-2458-14-636
Du, P., Crook, T., Whitener, C., Albright, P., Greenawalt, D. and Zurion, J. (2015) HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors among People Living with HIV/AIDS: The Need to Integrate HIV Prevention Interventions and Public Health Strategies into HIV Care. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 21, E1-E10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24335609
Higgins, J.A., Mullinax, M., Trussell, J., Davidson, K. and Moore, N.B. (2011) Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Health among University Students in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 101, 1643-1643. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300154
Mbonu, N.C., Borne, B.V.D. and Devries, N.K. (2011) The Experiences and Complexities of Care-Seeking Behavior of People Living with HIV AIDS: A Quantitative Study in Nigeria. http://www.intechopen.com
AIDS info (2014) Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents. https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv -guidelines/30/adherence-to-art
Naing, L., Winn, T. and Rusli, B.N. (2006) Practical Issues in Calculating the Sample Size for Prevalence Studies. Medical Statistics. Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 1, 9-14. https://www.scribd.com/doc/63105077/How-to-Calculate-Sample-Size