Knowledge and Attitude of Secondary School Students Toward HIV Transmission and Prevention in Anambra State

Adolescent knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention is a prerequisite for protective behaviour, yet gaps in comprehensive HIV literacy persist in Nigerian secondary schools despite long-standing awareness campaigns. This study assesses the knowledge and attitudes of secondary school students toward HIV transmission and prevention in Onitsha and Awka, Anambra State. A descriptive cross-sectional design is applied to 340 students aged 13 to 19 years selected through stratified random sampling from ten mixed secondary schools in two local government areas. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO Global School-based Student Health Survey measures comprehensive HIV knowledge scores, attitudes toward people living with HIV, and self-efficacy for protective behaviour. SPSS is used for analysis, with chi-square and Pearson correlation used to examine relationships between sociodemographic factors and knowledge and attitude scores. Available studies from South East Nigeria indicate that while general HIV awareness exceeds 80 percent among secondary school students, comprehensive knowledge of transmission routes, prevention methods, and living well with HIV is below 50 percent. The Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills model provides the study's theoretical framework. Findings will inform the Anambra State Ministry of Education and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS on strengthening school-based HIV education content and delivery methods. Keywords: HIV knowledge, attitudes, secondary school students, prevention, Anambra State.