Opeyemi Oluwasanmi Adeloye*, Idowu Olukoju, Oyeneyin Babatunde David, Roseline Kehinde Adeloye
Background:The lack of awareness of several health conditions among people of the community has been on the rise. This study however is aimed at the youths of the society specifically corps members as there is dearth in the evidence on the level of awareness and knowledge in our youth particularly corps members.
Methodology: This study is a cross sectional survey among serving corps members within in Nnewi north local government. Information on knowledge and perception on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis was sort through a structure questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was used in analysing the data obtained.
Result: One hundred questionnaire were distributed but 76 questionnaire were with complete information and analysed, representing 76% response rate, comprising 27(35.5%) male and 49(64.5) female, with a M : F ratio of 1:1.8.Fifteen CDS group participated in the survey, out of which Health and Drug free CDS Group had the highest respondent, health 10(13.2%) and Drug free 9(11.8%) respectively.There was no significant difference between gender and each of HIV/AIDS(χ2=3.388a; p-value=0.184), Tuberculosis (χ2=4.935a; p-value=0.177) and Hepatitis (χ2=1.503a; p-value=0.472)when p is set at 0.05. However, there was significant association between marital status and each of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis.
Conclusion: The general knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis was moderate but low for Hepatitis among corps members serving in Nnewi north Local government area. From this study, it appears that more female corps member than their male counterparts are more aware about HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis.
