| Abstract: |
HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns have been severally reported
by scholars to have a positive influence on the youths'
behaviour. Well-crafted HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns such
as National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework (NSF) are vital in
ensuring that youths have accurate knowledge to make
informed health decisions. This study therefore interrogated
the awareness level of National Strategic Framework (NSF)
HIV/AIDS campaign among youths (15-29 years), sources of
NSF HIV/AIDS campaign and the influence of NSF
HIV/AIDS campaign awareness level on youths' sexual
behaviour in Ekpoma Community, Edo State. The Health
Belief Model (H.B.M) underpinned this study while the
descriptive design and survey (questionnaire) method was
adopted. Data was then analysed using SPSS version 26 and
presented in frequency counts and tables. Finding revealed that
most youths in Ekpoma are aware of NSF HIV/AIDS
campaign as they indicated familiarity with the topic and also
received formal education and even participated in NSF
information sessions on HIV/AIDS campaign. Most of the
youths also considered the disease a serious public health
concern. Social media was identified as the most accessed
source of NSF HIV/AIDS information. Hence, NSF
HIV/AIDS awareness campaign has a positive influence on
youths' perception towards HIV/AIDS in Ekpoma community.
NSF HIV/AIDS campaign stakeholders are therefore urged to
develop more campaigns that are relatable, engaging, and
presented in formats that resonate with youths, such as short
videos, drama series and interactive sessions for platforms
such as WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook in order
to sustain interest and reinforce key messages on HIV/AIDS
prevention and testing. |
