Effects of Peer and Provider-Based Education Interventions on HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Behaviour-Risk among in-School Adolescents in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Introduction: Adolescents and youths are at high risk due to knowledge gap and behaviour risks related to HIV/AIDS thus need for intervention programs. There is paucity of data on comparative analysis on effect of the education intervention models such as peer-based and provider-based models. This study assessed the effect of peer and provider-based HIV/AIDS education on HIV knowledge and behaviour risk among adolescents and youths in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Methodology: This study involved 2 intervention groups (peer-based and health provider-based) and 1 control group. Multistage sampling was used to select participants. HIV education was provided by peers and health providers in the two intervention groups, but hygiene education was given to the control group. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires were deployed to assess baseline and effect of intervention on HIV/AIDS knowledge and behaviour risk. Total participants were 1831 shared among the 3 groups.

Result: Total baseline mean knowledge score was 48.8 and behaviour risk was 42.3. Within the intervention groups, significant changes were recorded in terms of knowledge gain and behaviour risk reduction post-intervention (p<0.05). No change was observed in control group. Provider-based group had higher knowledge gain and better behaviour risk reduction than peer-based group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Baseline HIV knowledge among adolescents and youths was on unimpressive, and behaviour risk was high. Education resulted in better knowledge and lower behaviour risk in the two groups, but health provider-based group had better outcome than peer-based group. It is recommended that the two models of HIV education intervention be adopted in secondary schools in view of their peculiarities and applicability.