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Impact of HIV Prevention Education on HIV Prevention Practices among University Students in Nigeria

Abstract

HIV infection remains an important public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young people who may experience barriers to accessing accurate sexual and reproductive health information and preventive services. University students may be exposed to factors that can increase vulnerability to HIV infection, including inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partnerships, limited knowledge of HIV prevention options, alcohol and substance use, stigma, and inadequate access to confidential sexual health services. HIV prevention education provides an opportunity to improve students' knowledge of HIV transmission, risk factors, testing, treatment, prevention methods, and available health services while promoting practical behaviours that reduce the risk of infection. Against this background, this study investigates the impact of HIV prevention education on HIV prevention practices among university students in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The Health Belief Model explains how students' perceptions of HIV susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits of preventive practices, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence their HIV prevention behaviours. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural skills, observational learning, and social and environmental influences in the adoption of preventive practices. The Theory of Planned Behavior explains how attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and behavioural intentions may influence students' decisions to engage in HIV prevention practices. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how HIV prevention education may influence HIV prevention practices among university students in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental research design. The study population will comprise undergraduate students enrolled in selected public and private universities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select states, universities, faculties, departments, and eligible students. HIV prevention education will be measured using indicators such as exposure to structured HIV education sessions, frequency and duration of education, knowledge of HIV transmission, HIV risk factors, condom-use education, HIV testing information, prevention of mother-to-child transmission awareness, pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, post-exposure prophylaxis awareness, treatment-as-prevention information, stigma-reduction education, and information about available HIV prevention and testing services. HIV prevention practices will be assessed using indicators such as consistent and correct condom use, HIV testing, reduction of high-risk sexual behaviours, limiting multiple sexual partnerships, use of appropriate HIV prevention services, awareness and uptake of PrEP or PEP where appropriate, communication with sexual partners about HIV prevention and testing, avoidance of sharing needles or other blood-contaminated equipment, and timely utilization of HIV-related health services. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, validated HIV knowledge and prevention-practice instruments, and relevant programme participation records. HIV prevention practices will be assessed before and after exposure to the HIV prevention education intervention. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize students' demographic and academic characteristics, HIV knowledge, and prevention practices. Inferential statistical techniques, including paired sample tests, independent sample tests, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the impact of HIV prevention education on HIV prevention practices. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that HIV prevention education has a significant positive impact on HIV prevention practices among university students in Nigeria. Students exposed to structured, accurate, and evidence-based HIV prevention education are expected to demonstrate improved knowledge and greater adoption of protective behaviours compared with their baseline practices or students without similar educational exposure. Education on HIV transmission, condom use, HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, treatment as prevention, partner communication, and stigma reduction may improve students' confidence and ability to make informed decisions regarding HIV prevention. Improved awareness of available services may also encourage earlier HIV testing and appropriate use of preventive interventions. However, stigma, misconceptions about HIV, concerns about confidentiality, limited access to condoms and prevention services, financial barriers, social norms, misinformation, and perceived low personal risk may reduce the effectiveness of educational interventions. The study therefore expects accessible, culturally appropriate, comprehensive, and sustained HIV prevention education to contribute significantly to improved HIV prevention practices among university students in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on HIV prevention education, HIV prevention practices, university students, HIV testing, condom use, PrEP, PEP, sexual health education, HIV awareness, health promotion, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, National Universities Commission, universities, student health services, public health practitioners, HIV prevention organizations, healthcare providers, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for strengthening HIV prevention among young adults. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating comprehensive HIV prevention education into university health programmes, improving access to confidential HIV testing and prevention services, strengthening peer-led HIV education, increasing awareness of PrEP and PEP, addressing HIV-related stigma and misinformation, and developing sustainable HIV prevention initiatives across Nigerian universities.

Keywords: HIV prevention education, HIV prevention practices, university students, HIV testing, condom use, PrEP, PEP, sexual health education, HIV awareness, health promotion, Nigeria, public health.