Comparative assessment of knowledge of hivaids and risk behaviour among secondary school students with and without hearing impairment in ibadan, Nigeria

Various studies have shown that hearing impaired individuals lack access to HIV/AIDS information due to problems of communication. This study was therefore designed to assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS and risk behaviour among secondary school students with and without hearing impairment in Ibadan, Nigeria. This comparative cross-sectional study involved 520 students (260 students with and 260 students without hearing impairment). A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and t-test. Mean ages of the students without hearing and with hearing impairment were 14.9 ±1.8 years and 16.9 ± 2.9 years respectively. Mean knowledge score of HIV/AIDS was higher among the students without hearing impairment (33.1 ± 4.3) compared with their peers with hearing impairment (30.1 ± 4.8). About 49.2% of the students with hearing impairment were sexually active compared with 25.8% of their peers without hearing impairment. More of the students with hearing impairment (57.8%) considered themselves to be at risk of contracting HIV infection. Students with hearing impairment compared with their non-hearing impaired peers were more sexually active and less access to HIV/AIDS information. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among students with hearing impairment may be enhanced by HIV awareness programmes and printed materials.