Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge of rural secondary school students and community members of HIV/AIDS and the study also assessed sexual behaviour of the students. It further investigates the attitude of community members to sex education. Data were collected from 100 secondary school students using a structured questionnaire to elicit their responses on their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviour. The study shows that the students have adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their major source of information being their friends/peer groups this was followed by the radio. The findings also revealed that students between ages 8-12 years have had sexual intercourse. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) design was used to elicit responses from 85 community members who turned up for the research. Their responses were analysed qualitatively. Results show that parents are also adequately aware of HIV/AIDS and that it can be acquired through sexual intercourse. Community members especially the Faith-based organisation were not favourably disposed towards sex education but they invariably agreed that sex education could be introduced to the curriculum if the contents of the curriculum is scrutinised and if parents may given option or choice of participation. Based on the findings several recommendations are made one of which is the integration of sex education into socio-cultural practices such as pubertal rites and coming-of-age ceremonies.