Assessment of HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigma Among Secondary School Adolescents in Cross River State

Despite decades of HIV/AIDS awareness programmes, stigmatising attitudes toward people living with HIV persist among Nigerian adolescents, limiting the effectiveness of prevention and treatment advocacy. This study assessed HIV/AIDS knowledge and associated stigmatising attitudes among secondary school adolescents in Calabar Municipal LGA, Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six Senior Secondary Schools, enrolling 320 students through stratified random sampling. A pretested structured questionnaire assessed comprehensive HIV knowledge using the UNAIDS knowledge indicator criteria, and stigma was measured using the validated HIV Stigma Scale adapted for adolescents. Results showed that comprehensive HIV knowledge was adequate in 61.3 percent of respondents, with significant gaps in knowledge of vertical transmission (42.5 percent correct) and discrimination rights (38.7 percent correct). HIV-related stigma was present in 54.1 percent of respondents, characterised by endorsement of discriminatory attitudes toward PLHIV in school and healthcare settings. Male students showed higher stigma scores than female students (p < 0.01). Knowledge of HIV transmission routes was negatively associated with stigma scores (r = -0.48; p < 0.001). Sources of HIV information were predominantly social media (63.4 percent) and peers (58.2 percent). The study recommends school-based comprehensive HIV education including anti-stigma modules, teacher training programmes, and rights-based communication as components of the Cross River State adolescent health programme. Keywords: HIV/AIDS knowledge, stigma, secondary school adolescents, Cross River State, South South Nigeria