An Investigation of Some Predicting Factors of Hiv/Aids Knowledge among Adolescents with Hearing Impairment in South West, Nigeria

HIV/AIDS has caused serious health challenges and concerns for close to four decades globally. The negative and alarming impact of this disease is the rate of incidence, prevalence and morbidity among young adults and adults generally. Despite the recorded reduction as a result of awareness among the general population, few achievements have been recorded among adolescents with hearing impairment as regards the awareness, knowledge and developmental skills that could aid in mitigating the exploit of the disease. This study, therefore, investigated some predictors of HIV/AIDS knowledge among adolescents with hearing impairment in southwestern, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design of the ex-post facto type. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 450 adolescents with hearing inpairment in different locations of south west, Nigeria. HIV/AID predictive behaviour inventory consisting of self-esteem (r = 0.80), Goal-setting (r = 0.62) Decision making (r = 0.60) and AIDs knowledge (r = 0.62) scales was used. Three research questions were asked and answered. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Momnent Correlation and Multiple regression. Result indicated significant relationship among independent variables and dependent variable like self-esteem, goal-setting, decision-making, age, gender, onset of loss, degree of loss and HIV/AID knowledge of adolescents vvith hearing inpairment. All independent variables jointly predicted HIV/AIDS knowledge of the participants while decision-making was the highest contribution. It, therefore, revealed that sonle intra-personal factors could contribute to HIV/AIDS knowledge among the participants. Hence, it was recommended that adolescents with hearing inpairment should be helped to develop developmental skills that will help them cope with life challenges.