Delta State University, Abraka Knowledge and Attitude of the Elderly in Delta State of Nigeria towards HIV/AIDS Pandemic
The study is aimed at examining the knowledge and attitude of the elderly in Delta State towards the prevalent of HIV/AIDS. Quantitative technique was used to generate data for the study. The research method adopted in the present study is the cross-sectional survey involving a total of 300 elderly of 60 years and above were randomly sampled between January and March, 2011. Results from the study reveal that 86.75 percent of the sample studied are sexually active and many of them are engaged in multiple sexual relationships. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevalent is 100 percent and the sample identified three main sources of contracting HIV/AIDS infection. Respondents from the elderly studies show that about 85.6% percent of the sample belief that HIV/AIDS is actually in existence. 27.0 percent of the elderly studied argued that HIV/AIDS is curable. The study also revealed that the sample expressed negative attitude towards the prevalence of HIV/AIDS by suggesting way of preventing HIV/AIDS. There is therefore the need for more efforts towards educating and creating awareness on HIV/AID prevalence. The awareness I am campaigning should also include preventing measures. This will help in changing altitude and belief about HIV/AIDS particularly among the elderly in Nigeria.