An HIV-STI risk reduction program among undergraduate students at a northern Nigerian university: A randomized controlled field trial

Abstract

Aim This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led human immunodeficiency virus-sexually transmitted infections (HIV-STI) intervention program based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model among undergraduate students at Ahmadu Bello University in northern Nigeria.

Subjects and methods We utilized a randomized controlled field trial design to investigate the impact of an HIV-STI intervention program on participants’ HIV-related and STI knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, attitudes towards HIV and STI prevention, and disentanglement of stigmas. Participants were randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. An 8-h peer-led integrated HIV-STI prevention program comprised of four structured modules was developed and delivered to the intervention group, while the control group received another 8-h program on career development. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance was applied to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3 months and at 6 months post-intervention.

Results Respondents in the intervention arm showed significant improvements in knowledge about HIV and STIs, and in sexual risk behaviors and attitudes towards HIV-STI prevention. Conversely, there was no difference in tolerance toward people living with HIV assessed using the stigma scale. There were significant main effects for group (F = 155.94, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.401); time (F = 248.35, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.516), and group × time interaction (F = 162.96, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.412) for HIV-related knowledge. Similarly, the main effects for group, time, and group × time interaction for STI knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, and attitudes were also significant.

Conclusions The peer-led HIV-STI intervention program developed was effective in improving knowledge and attitudes about HIV prevention and reducing sexual risk behaviors among the university students.