Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Undergraduate Students from Selected Universities in Baguio City

INTRODUCTION HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, when your body can no longer fight life-threatening infections. There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. It is not spread as easily as some other viruses, such as colds or flu.HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person, which includes semen and vaginal fluids, blood, inside the anus and breast milk. It cannot be transmitted by saliva alone. But the saliva of a person with HIV can be infectious if it contains blood or other body fluids. The most common way of getting HIV is by unprotected sexual contact with a person who has HIV. This can include vaginal, anal and oral sex. According to statistics from the Health Protection Agency, 95% of those diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2010 acquired HIV as a result of sexual contact. Other ways of getting HIV include, using a contaminated needle, syringe or other injecting equipment to inject drugs, transmission from mother to baby, before or during birth, or by breastfeeding. The only way to find out if you have HIV is to have an HIV test. If you think you might be at risk of HIV, you should have a test immediately. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. Emergency anti-HIV medication called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) may stop you becoming infected, but treatment must be started within three days of coming into contact with the virus. It can take several weeks after infection before the virus is picked up in

testing, so after your initial test you will be advised to have another one a few weeks later. HIV is disproportionately common among men who have sex with men. it is recommended that annual HIV tests be offered to all men who have sex with men, and more frequent testing be offered to those at higher risk due to multiple partners or unsafe sexual practices. Although there is no cure for HIV, treatments are much more successful than they used to be, enabling people with HIV to lead as normal a life as possible. Medication, known as antiretrovirals, works by slowing down the damage the virus does to the immune system. These medicines come in the form of tablets, which need to be taken every day. You will be encouraged to take regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking and have yearly flu vaccinations and five-yearly pneumococcal vaccinations to minimise the risk of getting serious illnesses. Someone with HIV is said to have AIDS when investigations show their immune system has stopped working and they develop life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.HIV can affect anybody. The best way to prevent HIV is to practise safer sex and use a condom. If you inject drugs, do not share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment such as spoons and swabs .At the end of 2010, an estimated 91,500 people in the UK were living with HIV. Of these, around one in four (22,000 in total) did not know they were infected. That total includes an estimated 40,100 gay men, and an estimated 47,000 heterosexual men and women. The World Health Organization estimates that around 34 million people in the world are living with HIV. The virus is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan African countries, such as South Africa and Mozambique.

Most people who are infected with HIV experience a short, flu-like illness that occurs two to six weeks after infection. After this, HIV often causes no symptoms for several years. The flu-like illness that often occurs a few weeks after HIV infection is also known as seroconversion illness. It's estimated that up to 80% of people who are infected with HIV experience this illness. The most common symptoms are fever ,sore throat, body rash, Other symptoms can include, tiredness, joint pain, muscle pain, swollen glands The symptoms, which can last up to four weeks, are a sign that your immune system is putting up a fight against the virus. These symptoms can all be caused by conditions other than HIV, and do not mean you have the virus .However, if you have several of these symptoms, and you think you have been at risk of HIV infection, you should get an HIV test. After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV will often not cause any further symptoms for many years. During this time, known as asymptomatic HIV infection, the virus continues to spread and damage your immune system. This process can take about 10 years, during which you will feel and appear well. If left untreated, HIV will weaken your ability to fight infection so much that you become vulnerable to serious illnesses. This stage of infection is known as AIDS, although doctors now prefer to use the term late-stage HIV infection. Typically, a person with late-stage HIV infection has ,persistent tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, persistent diarrhea, blurred vision, white spots on the tongue or mouth, dry cough, shortness of breath, fever of above 37C that lasts a number of weeks, swollen glands that last for more than three months, At this stage, you are at increased risk of lifethreatening illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and some cancers. Many of these, though serious, can be treated and your health is likely to improve if you start HIV treatment. There is no cure for HIV, but treatments are much more successful than they used to be,

enabling people with the virus to stay healthy and live longer. Emergency HIV drugs If you think you have been exposed to the virus within the last 72 hours, anti-HIV medication may stop you becoming infected. For it to be effective, the medication, called post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP, must be started within 72 hours of coming into contact with the virus. The quicker PEP is started the better, ideally within hours of coming into contact with HIV. The longer the wait, the less chance of it being effective. PEP is a month-long treatment, which has serious side effects and is not guaranteed to work. The treatment involves taking the same drugs prescribed to people who have tested positive for HIV. If you are diagnosed with HIV, you will have regular blood tests to monitor the progress of the virus before starting treatment. You will not normally need to start treatment until the virus has begun weakening your immune system .This is determined by mainly by measuring your levels of CD4, which are infection-fighting cells, in your blood. Treatment is usually recommended to begin when your CD4 count falls to 350 or below, whether or not you have any symptoms. Treatment is also recommended to as soon as possible if your CD4 count is getting close to 350.The aim of the treatment is to reduce the level of HIV in the blood and prevent or delay any HIV-related illnesses.HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs), which work against the HIV infection by slowing down the spread of the virus in the body. A combination of ARVs is used because HIV can quickly adapt and become resistant to one single ARV. Patients tend to take three or more types of ARV medication. This is known as combination therapy or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Some antiretroviral drugs have been combined into one pill, known as a "fixed dose combination". This means that the most common treatments for people just diagnosed with HIV involve taking just one or two pills a day. Different combinations of ARVs work for different people so

the medicine you take will be individual to you. Once HIV treatment is started, you will probably need to take the medication for the rest of your life. For the treatment to be effective, it will need to be taken on time, every time. Many of the medicines used to treat HIV can react in unpredictable ways if you take them with other types of medicines.ARV treatment is available to prevent a pregnant woman from passing HIV to her child. Without treatment, there is a one in four chance that your baby will develop HIV. With treatment, the risk is less than one in a hundred. Advances in treatment mean there is no increased risk of passing the virus to your baby with a normal delivery. However, for some women, a caesarean section may still be recommended. If you have HIV, do not breastfeed your baby because the virus can be transmitted through breast milk. If you or your partner has HIV, fertility treatments, such as sperm washing, may be available that will allow you to conceive a child without putting either of you at risk of infection.HIV treatment can have unpleasant side effects. If you get serious side effects you may need to try a different combination of ARVs. Common side effects include nausea, tiredness, diarrhea ,skin rashes, mood changes, gaining fat on one part of your body while losing it on another

Sexual risk behaviors among college students has become more of a common topic in health related issues over the past couple of years, more so with the advent of HIV/AIDS. Several factors come into play when partaking in sexual risk behaviors among students, such as peer pressure, alcohol, drug use, and the depth of their knowledge on these sexual risks. Examples of these sexual risk behaviors can include having unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, intoxication of alcohol and/or drugs, and pressure to do things against ones own morals.

More than 20 years ago, doctors in the United States identified the first cases of AIDS in San Francisco and New York. According to Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2010) an estimated 34 million people were living with HIV worldwide including 2.5 million children at the end of 2010. There were also 2.7 million new HIV infections and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS. Sexually active individuals are at a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS does not often show symptoms, meaning an individual can have, spread and even contract HIV without being aware. According to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (2010), it was noted that in the past 10 months (as of 2010) there was a notable number of young urban professionals affected by HIV/AIDS in major cities in the Philippines. The study which had its 675 respondents from the 22 metro manila and Cebu call centers found that a big number of call centre workers had contracted HIV/AIDS from non romantic relationships but from regular sexual contact commonly referred to as FUBU, short for F**ked Buddies. College students are thought to be at high risk for HIV because of their high level of sexual activity and their potential for multiple sexual partners. A study by Patricia (2010) showed that even students who considered themselves in long term relationships often experience casual sex with another partner. Multiple partners to them seem to be the norm rather than the exception. DOH warns: HIV spreading faster than ever. As of May 2010, four people tested positive every day. But it did not even reach the end of the year before the Philippines started recording 5 new HIV cases every day. DOH data also shows that all 17 regions of the country have reported incidents of HIV. And as of May 2010, 72 of the 80 provinces had at least one HIV positive case.

But the top three areas logging the highest incidences of HIV are Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao; all highly urbanized and densely populated areas (DOH, 2010). Young Filipinos Sexual Behavior. A growing concern surrounds the vulnerability of young people who according to a survey conducted by Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) (2002) as cited in (4th AIDS Medium Term Plan Philippines.2005-2010), shows that the proportion of young people engaging in premarital sex increased from 17.8% in 1994 to 23.1% in 2002. The youth between 15-27 years which is 34% were found to have had multiple sex partners. The survey showed that 70% of men and 68% of female participants engaged in unprotected sex. From these young adults, the survey showed that 60% thought that there was no way they could contract HIV/AIDS. THE Department of Health (DOH) revealed an increase of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) being treated at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).BGHMC chair of HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Core Team, said that there are now 72 HIV cases recorded from 2006 until May of this year. These cases were recorded at BGHMC. She said the hospital had three cases each in 2006 and 2007 while six cases each in 2008 and 2009. Five patients were found HIV positive in 2010 at BGHMC. However, the number increased in 2011 wherein the hospital had 16 HIV positive patients. The number continues to increase in 2012 with 17 patients while this year has already 16 confirmed patients to be positive of HIV from January to May only. The HIV and AIDS core team chairman said among the 72, the youngest victim is 19 years old while the oldest is 56 years old. BGHMC record shows that 51 are males while 21 are females. Among the 51 males, 40 are homosexual, eight are heterosexual, and three are bisexual. On the other hand, among the 21 females, 14 are heterosexual and one is bisexual.

Among the origins of HIV positive patients are: five from Manila; 28 from Baguio City; one each from Abra, Pampanga, and Isabela; and five from Benguet. Santos revealed most of the patients are professionals.The hospital executive also advised public to take extra precautions when having sexual intercourse with somebody. DOH encourages citizens with HIV symptoms to visit any hospital in order to avail of the free medicines, free laboratory tests, and other free health services which are now being offered to HIV victims.

Theoretical Framework

Social cognitive theory provides a framework for understanding, predicting, and changing human behavior. The theory identifies human behavior as an interaction of personal factors, behavior, and the environment (Bandura, 1986). In the model, the interaction between the person and behavior involves the influences of a persons thoughts and actions. The interaction between the person and the environment involves human beliefs and cognitive competencies that are developed and modified by social influences and structures within the environment. The third interaction, between the environment and behavior, involves a persons behavior determining the aspects of their environment and in turn their behavior is modified by that environment. According to Jones (1989), social cognitive theory is helpful for understanding and predicting both individual and group behavior and identifying methods in which behavior can be modified or changed. Since SCT is based on understanding an individuals reality construct, it is

very useful when applied to interventions aimed at personality development, behavior pathology, and health promotion. The reason why I chose this theory is because we live in a society where people are ignorant about the things happening around them unless it is happening to them and therefore it is the duty of those with the information to help them understand and know how to deal with such issues and to do that you need to know the peoples behavior towards certain aspects so that you can approach them appropriately with regards to ethics and conduct so in my study after having noted the different behaviors towards eradicating the disease and prevention I will then render health teachings to help them understand the disease process better this will also serve as most importantly health prevention and health promotion to those that are already exposed Conceptual framework According to a study by Jay, R., W., (1998) adolescent sexual attitudes and behavior are influenced by proximal relationships in family, religion, school, and the media among other factors. The study also indicated that adolescents who begin to date earlier have more dates, which are positively associated with sexual experience, number of sexual partners, and level of sexual activity during later teens. This survey perceives that a students personal factors (SDC) such as Age, Gender, school, , Source of HIV/AIDS information, and Religion influence the outcome/final action: the level of HIV/AIDS awareness and the sexual risk behavior of a student. It is perceived that SDCs will directly influence a students sexual risk behavior and his/her level of HIV/AIDS awareness. Furthermore the researcher perceives an interaction between a students sexual risk behavior and the level of HIV/AIDS awareness; the outcome which will greatly influence his/her sexual activities and his/her perception about HIV/AIDS.

According to social learning theories people tend to learn by observing others, a process referred as vicarious learning, and not merely through their own direct experiences. In this same breath a student will be constantly influenced not by his/her own experiences but more by his/her immediate environment. These environments may come in the form of their courses, their parents marital status and their source of HIV/AIDS information. These factors will interact will function together as inputs to give the final out put which is equivalent to the final sexual risk behavior and the final level of HIV/AIDS awareness reported by the students in the survey questionnaire. Conceptual Paradigm Paradigm
Sexual risk behavior: 1. Unprotected anal sex with a partner whose HIV/AIDS status is unknown 2. Unprotected vaginal penetration with a partner whose HIV/AIDS status is unknown 3. Oral sex 4. Sex under the influence of alcohol and or drugs 5. Multiple sexual partners

Students Perception Influenced by Socio-Demographic Characteristics: a) Age

b) c) d) e)

Gender
Course

Religion Source of HIV/AIDS information

Level of HIV/AIDS awareness: 1. Low 2. Moderate 3. High 4. Very high Legend Low: 1-1.75 moderate: 1.76-2.50 High: 2.51-3.25 very high: 3.26-4.00

Fig.1 The figure suggests that the socio-demographic characteristics of a student will directly influence his or her sexual risk behaviors and the level of HIV/AIDS awareness. Furthermore there is a perceived interaction between a students sexual risk behavior and his or her level of HIV/AIDS awareness.

Statement of the Problem This study focuses on the sexual risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS awareness level among fourth year tertiary students from selected schools in Baguio. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following: 1. What are the sexual risk behavior of college students from selected Universities in Baguio in terms of the following : a) Age b) Gender c) Course d) Religion e) Source of HIV/AIDS information

2. What is the HIV/AIDS awareness level among college students from selected Universities in Baguio in terms of their demographic profile?

3. Is their a significant relationship between the sexual risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS awareness level of college students in terms of gender? 4. Is there any significant difference in the sexual risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS awareness of college students in terms of gender, religion, course, and year level ?

Scope and Delimitations The study will survey sexual risk behavior and HIV/AIDS awareness among college students from selected universities in Baguio. The study will be limited only to undergraduate students from different universities and participants will be taken from medical and non medical courses Significance of the Study The study hopes to benefit better understanding and prevention of HIV to students and the community at large thereby reducing the risk of contracting the disease and alleviate its spread.

Definition of Terms HIV is the abbreviation used for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

AIDS- the syndrome called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the late stage of HIV. STD- Sexually Transmitted Disease is a diseases acquired after having sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Chapter 2 This chapter presents the literature ,readings and studies related to the research study. The studies reviewed include foreign and local studies which guided the researcher in the completion of the present study

Selected behavioral indicators of unsafe sex practices among Filipino males. The YAFSS-II study indicates similar sexual trends among Filipino males. The study states that by the age of 25 years or before they marry, over one third (37%) of Filipino men would have

engaged in sex with a partner other than their spouses, and a considerable proportion--around 20%, would have paid for sex with a female partner. More urban (22.8%) than rural men (14.9%) would have paid for sex at age 24. About one third of all single men at the age of 24 would be engaging in activities with potential for HIV transmission. The study also predicted that by that age, a small proportion of young men would have had five or more sexual partners, which had potentials for HIV epidemic (Jimenez & Lee, 1999-2000). Sexual behavior and STD awareness of Chinese university students. Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China, observe that the vulnerability of young people to HIV and the recent emergence of the HIV epidemic in China have made it urgent to assess and update the HIV and STD risk profile of Chinese young people. A quantitative survey by Ma, Ono, Cong, Zamani, Ravari, and Kihara (2001) with crosssectional design was conducted among 22,493 undergraduate students in two universities in Ningbo, China. Using Bivariate trend analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis comparison was done between sexual behaviors and awareness between grades. The survey found that of all the respondents, 17.6% of males and 8.6% of females reported being sexually active. Condom was reported never/rarely used by 35% of sexually active students in both genders in the previous year. The survey concluded that sexual behaviors of Chinese university students are poorly protected and sexual behaviors and awareness may have been undergoing rapid change, becoming active earlier and more risky. The survey concluded also that if the trend continues, vulnerable sexual network will grow among them that allow more expansion of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS (Ma et al. 2001). Premarital sexual activities among students in a university in Beijing, China.

Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming a serious public health problem in China. College students are recognized as one of the age groups most affected. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 1999 among students at a university in Beijing to investigate premarital sexual activities and condom use in order to collect the information necessary for research on interventions. Results showed that among those interviewed, 41% reported premarital sexual activities: 28% had kissed partners of the opposite sex, 19% had masturbated, and 12% had engaged in sexual intercourse. Among those who had sexual intercourse, 69% had used condoms. Based on the results the study concluded that, more students today are engaging in premarital sexual intercourse. Thus, it is necessary to reinforce reproductive health education among college students and provide convenient and optional services that are easily accessed (Zhang, Gao, Dong, Tan & Wu, 1999). Sexual behaviors among Japanese youth. A survey conducted by Masako, Masahiro and Hiroshi (2002), shows that the sexual behaviors of Japanese youth as changed drastically. The results of the study shows an increase in earlier age sex among the youth, this earlier sex takes the form of oral sex and is performed with casual friends or multiple partners. The survey furthermore reveals that many of these Japanese youth are quite ignorant about HIV and STDs many of them could not link STDs with susceptibility to HIV infection. Sexual behavior among Kenyan girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the major route of transmission of HIV is through heterosexual intercourse and where rates of infection among young people, particularly adolescent girls, are high, it is critical to collect accurate information on sexual activity prior to marriage. Yet recent studies from the region raise questions about the accuracy of reporting of sexual behavior. An analysis of trends in age at first sex in Africa using

the Demographic and Health Surveys indicates discrepancies in reporting within birth cohorts, consistent with young women denying and young men exaggerating their sexual activity (Paul, Hewett, Annabel & Erulkar, 2003). The participants reported high in; sex with a relative, stranger, or older man, and higher reporting of forced sex. The median age at first sex in the district is 16.5 years, slightly lower than the national average of 16.7. An epidemiological investigation of the large gender disparity in HIV prevalence among young people in two African cities reveals HIV prevalence to be high among women reporting one sexual partner and few episodes of sexual intercourse, a pattern suggesting considerable underreporting of risky sexual behavior among young women. Sexual behavior and condom use among university students in Madagascar. Although the number of known HIV-infected students in Madagascar increased significantly between 1989 and 1995, very little is known about student behavior with regard to AIDS. A cross-sectional design survey was conducted at the Antananarivo's university campus with these objectives: to describe Malagasy students' sexual behavior and condom use; to document students' perceptions about condoms; and to study the relationships between students' sociodemographic characteristics, their perceptions about condoms, and their condom use. Participants' average age was 24 years. Approximately 80% of the participants reported sexual experiences, and the average age at sexual debut was 19 years. Only 5.7% reported consistent condom use. Common reasons for non-use were steady relationships (75.6%), the perception that condoms were useful only during ovulation periods (8.7%), and the decrease of pleasure (6.4%). The predictors of condom use were male gender, and the perception that condoms were useful during ovulation periods. Risky sexual behaviors with regard to AIDS were

prevalent in this community. Hence an HIV prevention program was recommended (Sahara, 2008). Knowledge of HIV infection, risk perception, and sexual behavior among undergraduates in Italy. The study aimed to verify whether the knowledge and beliefs of female medical freshmen about HIV infection, their personal risk perception, and their sexual behavior differs from their female peers, in view of the possibility of female medical studentbased peer education. A purposive, theoretical quota sampling method was used to recruit the target population and self-administered anonymous questionnaire was delivered to both female medical and non medical freshmen during March 2004 (n = 266: 124 medical students and 142 non medical students) in Catania (Sicily) Italy. The Chi-square test was used to compare data from the two groups of students. Results showed that knowledge and risk perception about HIV infection were higher for medical students when compared with non medical students. Moreover, a lower rate of sexually active medical students and a higher rate of condom use were found among them. The study concluded that since female medical students seem more sensitive to risk perception and aware of healthier lifestyles, they could be useful in peer sexual education and appropriate prevention programs against HIV infection (Coniglio, Giammanco, Bonaccorso & Pignato, 2007). Knowledge, attitude and practice about sexually transmitted diseases among university students in Kampala, Uganda. A study by Wilberforce, Jerome, Lule, and Wabwire (2001) found that among the participants; Knowledge of the clinical features of gonorrhea and AIDS was high; most knew the predisposing factors for STDs (multiple sexual partners 90%; unprotected sexual intercourse 93%; rape 81%; sex outside marriage 78%, and sex under the

influence of alcohol 73%) but not so for syphilis. Males were three times more likely to contract STDs (27%) than their female (9%) counterparts. Whereas knowledge on methods of prevention was high (>90%) it was not followed by appropriate behavioral patterns. This study has shown that more female than male students got information from their parents, while more male students had their information from previous sexual intercourse. The study concluded that the level of knowledge about STDs and their prevention is not matched by sexual behavioral patterns, and male students undertake more risky sexual behavior. Sexual education should be introduced at the university as a means of increasing students' awareness about the problem and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. Need for sex education among college students. A study conducted in Walden University United States reported that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in every 500 college students is infected with HIV, meaning that with more than 13 million students enrolled in college in the year 2008, 26,000 of these college students have contracted HIV. It is thought that half of these new cases of HIV occur in people under the age of 25 (Riley, 2010). Furthermore a study by Riley (2010) recommends that it is vital for college-age students to be educated about the risks of HIV/AIDS. He observes that Colleges are already taking several different approaches to properly educate their students; peer programs are being used to start dialogue about HIV/AIDS and STDS. In addition, he observes that some colleges require coursework to be completed about the risks of engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors. Hence this study aims to survey sexual risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS awareness among fourth year undergraduate students from selected schools in Baguio.

Chapter 3 Research methodology Research Design This study will use a correlational-descriptive design. Descriptive method will be used to describe the present sexual risk behavior of the students and their present HIV/AIDS awareness. In the context of this study the researcher will describe the present sexual behaviors of the respondents as whether it is risk or not and will also describe the HIV/AIDS awareness among the respondents as whether it is high or low. The correlation method will be used to determine if

two or more variables are associated with each other. In the context of this study the researcher will determine what relationship exists between SDCs, HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual risk behavior among undergraduate students from selected schools in Baguio. The study will survey Sexual Risk Behaviors and HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Undergraduate Students from Selected Courses in Universities in Baguio. Sampling Procedure The respondents will be undergraduate students drawn from three schools namely School of Natural Sciences (SNS), School of Engineering (SOE), And School of Teacher Education (STE). A total sample population of 300 respondents (sample population purposely arrived at by the researcher) will be recruited by the researcher by use of quota sampling with proportional allocation to the strata. Quota sampling is a type of non-probability sampling technique. Nonprobability sampling focuses on sampling techniques that are based on the judgment of the researcher. With proportional quota sampling, the aim is to end up with a sample where the strata (groups) being studied (e.g. Engineering vs. Education and males vs. females) are proportional to the population being studied. The researcher will identify three schools as strata. The researcher will then use draw lots to identify courses within the strata to recruit the respondents from. From the courses the researcher will use random sampling to identify sections from which to recruit the respondents and lastly will use random sampling with equal allocation to male and female respondents. Sampling table below Sampling Procedure The researcher purposely arrived at 300 as the sample population for the study. This was informed by the fact that the researcher is an active student and the researcher believes that this sample population will effectively represent the entire undergraduate students. The researcher then purposely chose three school as strata (groups) from which respondents will be drawn from. Quota sampling with proportional allocation to the strata will be utilized.

Within each of the identified courses the researcher will employ random sampling to identify sections from which to recruit the respondents.

Within each of the three strata the researcher will employ draw lots to identify courses from which to recruit respondents from.

Finally within each of the identified sections the researcher will employ random sampling with proportional allocation for male and female respondents.

Instrumentation The items for the questionnaire for this study will be generated from the statement of problems. The questionnaire will be divided into 3 sections: (1) socio demographic characteristics, which will include gender, college, age, religion, parents marital status, and source of information on HIV/AIDS; (2) Sexual Risk Behavior to include unprotected anal sex, unprotected virginal penetration, oral sex, multi sexual partners, engaging in sexual activities with individuals whose HIV status is unknown to them, engaging in sexual activities under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and (3) HIV/AIDS Awareness in terms of a) cause of HIV/AIDS b) transmission of HIV/AIDS c) susceptibility to HIV/AIDS d) modes of HIV transmission and e) protection from HIV . The questionnaire has been pre-tested to check its validity and reliability. Data Gathering Procedure A questionnaire will be administered to 300 undergraduates students from the three

schools. The researcher will randomly recruit the respondents sections within the school identified. The researcher will then briefly discuss to the participants the general objective of the research before the issuance of inform consent followed by presenting them with the questionnaire. The research will then advise them not to write their names on the questionnaire in order to ensure maximum confidentiality of the information they provided.

Data Analysis The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) will be used to enter and analyze the data. Descriptive analysis (frequency, percentages ratios, mean and standard deviation) will be used for, sexual risk behavior and HIV/AIDS awareness. Pearson correlation (r) will be used to find the relationship between Sexual Risk Behavior and level of awareness on HIV/AIDS among the students. T-test will be used to find the difference between sexual risk behavior and level of awareness on HIV/AIDS among students. Significance level will be at 0.05.