n African Journal of Rhetoric - 'Sexual or not?' : HIV & AIDS knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices among intellectually impaired and mainstream learners in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to identify and compare HIV knowledge, attitudes in relation to sexual abstinence, and sexual practices among mild-to-moderate intellectually impaired (II) and mainstream learners (ML). We will investigate the attendant contextual factors specifically for II and suggest guidelines for a school-based HIV intervention channelled to the specific needs of learners with intellectual disability.

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The research utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods. These include administration of a structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), in-depth and key informant interviews respectively. These methods were used to collect data on demographics, HIV transmission knowledge, risk perception of HIV infection, attitudes, outcome expectations, social influences, self-efficacy, and intentions in relation to sexual abstinence from the two groups of learners, as well as data on effectiveness of HIV information reaching the learners from their teachers. The key informant interview focussed on teachers of both II learners and ML, while structured questionnaire, FGD and in-depth interview were used to collect data from both categories of learners.

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It is hoped that the study will contribute to knowledge in the area of the trends and contexts of HIV knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices among learners with intellectual disability, as well as influence policy in comprehensive sexuality education and HIV prevention response tailored to the special needs of learners with intellectual disability in Nigeria.