APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF SIGNIFICANT OTHERS IN PREVENTION OF HIV/AII MONG YOUTHS IN ALUU COMMUNITY

The main focus of this study wasto appraise role of significant others in the prevention of HIV/AIDS among youths in Aluu community, Rivers state. Three specific objectives and objectives guided the study. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study comprised of youthsbetween the ages of 18 and 35 in Aluu community, Rivers State. The major instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using tables showing frequency and percentage. From the findings, the study revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that their roles include teaching of sex education (81.9%); educating on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases (88.9%); discouraging youths from having multiple sexual partners (85.5%); encouraging youths to visit counselling centers (86.9%); and educating the youths on proper preventive measures (83.1%). Also, findings revealed the factors influencing significant others role in the prevention of HIV/AIDS among youths to include level of education (72.9%), level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS (87.2%), nature of relationship with youths (90.9%), lack of belief on HIV/AIDS and its consequences (71.0%), and nature of family (77.8%).It can be concluded from this study that the role of significant others in preventing HIV/AIDS cannot be underestimated as they play important role in promoting youths' personal understanding and growth. It was recommended that health workers in collaboration with significant others and community should provide youths and adolescents with proper education on HIV/AIDS early enough before they start to engage in sexual behaviours which can put them at risk