HIV/AIDS Prevention: Influence of HIV Knowledge, Self- Efficacy, Parent and Peer influence, Social support, Culture and Government policy in Preventive Health Behavior in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is a relatively recent development challenge and human tragedy that faces global society particularly developing countries. This disease has no effective method for cure or treatment thus, the need to intensify preventive behavior in both scale and size to halt growing infection rate. However, studies show that preventive effort reached only one in ten people especially those at risk. Therefore, UNAIDS called for more effort and commitment toward prevention through promoting preventive behavior and total behavior change. This study examines the influence of selected variables on preventive health behavior in Jigawa state, Nigeria. The study utilized quantitative research approach employing standardized questionnaires. A multistage cluster sampling was used in selecting the respondents. A total of 480 respondents from 12 local government areas were involved in the study but the analysis is based on usable data from 471 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0, employing descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. The results of Pearson correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between the variables (HIV knowledge, Parent and peer influence, Social support, Culture, Government policy) and Preventive health behavior. It can be concluded that the all factors HIV knowledge, Parent and peer influence, social support, Culture and Government policy were important predictor of preventive behavior and are significantly contributing toward HIV prevention. Key words; HIV/AIDS Prevention, Preventive Health Behavior