Perceptions Regarding HIV/AIDS

Background: The average numbers of Nigerians who have been incarcerated over the past three decades when HIV/AIDS was discovered have been increasing and the seroprevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the prison inmates remained higher than the national average due to the occurrence of risky sexual practices among inmates and inadequate HIV prevention, care and support services. This study assessed the sexual Research Article

The Prison population is at risk of HIV infection even though they are most often neglected risk group in the area of prevention and management. The seroprevalence of Human Immunodefiency Virus [HIV] infection among male inmates in Kuje prison, Abuja- Nigeria was determined. Two hundred sera specimens from the prison inmates were tested using 3 different test kits. Of 200 samples tested 12 [6%] had HIV-1 antibodies. The highest prevalence of HIV antibodies was found in the age group of 10-20 years [7.1%]. This was followed by the age group of 21-30 years [6.8%] while the least [4.0%] was observed among those aged 41-50 years. HIV among inmates particularly the young was high. Preventive and management measures should always be extended to inmates of Nigerian prisons. Prisoners should continuously be educated about HIV pandemic and methods of prevention. [Nature and Science 2010;8(6):92-94]. (ISSN: 1545-0740).

The Prison population is at risk of HIV infection even though they are most often neglected risk group in the area of prevention and management. The seroprevalence of Human Immunodefiency Virus [HIV] infection among male inmates in Kuje prison, Abuja- Nigeria was determined. Two hundred sera specimens from the prison inmates were tested using 3 different test kits. Of 200 samples tested 12 [6%] had HIV-1 antibodies. The highest prevalence of HIV antibodies was found in the age group of 10-20 years [7.1%]. This was followed by the age group of 21-30 years [6.8%] while the least [4.0%] was observed among those aged 41-50 years. HIV among inmates particularly the young was high. Preventive and management measures should always be extended to inmates of Nigerian prisons. Prisoners should continuously be educated about HIV pandemic and methods of prevention. [Nature and Science 2010;8(6):92-94]. (ISSN: 1545-0740).

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/ AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%) perceived that sexual intercourse exists in the prison, but only 39 (16.8%) perceived that condoms are used by inmates. Majority, 136 (58.6%) perceived that tattooing is practised in the prison, and 170 (73.3%) agreed that sexuality education should be provided in the prison. Being of a lower academic level was associated with an increased perception that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS infection (P=0.030), and also associated with an increased perception that tattooing is being practised in the prison (P=0.034). These findings call for concerted efforts by stakeholders to implement strategies to improve the perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, and to eliminate risky behaviours among prison inmates that might expose them to HIV infection.

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/ AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%) perceived that sexual intercourse exists in the prison, but only 39 (16.8%) perceived that condoms are used by inmates. Majority, 136 (58.6%) perceived that tattooing is practised in the prison, and 170 (73.3%) agreed that sexuality education should be provided in the prison. Being of a lower academic level was associated with an increased perception that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS infection (P=0.030), and also associated with an increased perception that tattooing is being practised in the prison (P=0.034). These findings call for concerted efforts by stakeholders to implement strategies to improve the perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, and to eliminate risky behaviours among prison inmates that might expose them to HIV infection.

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/ AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%...

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/ AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%) perceived that sexual intercourse exists in the prison, but only 39 (16.8%) perceived that condoms are used by inmates. Majority, 136 (58.6%) perceived that tattooing is practised in the prison, and 170 (73.3%) agreed that sexuality education should be provided in the prison. Being of a lower academic level was associated with an increased perception that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS infection (P=0.030), and also associated with an increased perception that tattooing is being practised in the prison (P=0.034). These findings call for concerted efforts by stakeholders to implement strategies to improve the perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, and to eliminate risky behaviours among prison inmates that might expose them to HIV infection.

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/ AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%...

The objective of this study was to assess the factors which constitute risk of transmitting HIV and blood-borne viruses in a male prison. The setting for this study is Quthing district prison, Lesotho. It is a descriptive study that utilized semi-structured questionnaire administered in a face-to-face interview with participants. Collated data were analysed with the aid of SPSS computer software programme. One hundred and thirty eight prison inmates were to be interviewed but only 123 inmates were successfully interviewed. Forty-two percent of the respondents had tattoo marks but just 2/3 of them had their tattoo marks done in the prison. Sixty-five percent of the inmates interviewed shared sharp instruments such as shaving blades in the prison. Thirteen percent of the inmates used condom regularly before admitted into the prison and 68% had more than one sexual partner within the period of 4 weeks before they were imprisoned. Four percent of the inmates had practiced unprotected anal sex in the prison and 2.5% had used intravenous illicit drug. In conclusion this study showed that unprotected anal sex, tattooing and use of unsterilized sharp instruments are common practices among the prisoners while intravenous drug was uncommon.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.

Background: The United Nations in her quest for the humane treatment of all human beings, had created and adopted a number of International legal instruments to protect and guarantee human rights to all persons including those who are incarcerated in the prisons. However, the application of these instruments in practice falls short of prescribed standards in many prisons and reformation centers in Nigeria. This study empirically assessed the prison inmate's perception of living conditions in Makurdi Medium Security Prisons, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on 132 inmates, selected by simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 and presented as tables. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 25.±6.5 years. The male inmates formed the majority with ratio of 17.6:1. The mean duration of stay in prison custody was 3.2±2.6 years with

Prisoners are at exceptional risk of infection with HIV because of the association of injection drug use, tattooing, sex
between men and unprotected sexual intercourse with incarceration. This study described the perceptions regarding HIV/
AIDS and risky behaviours among prison inmates in Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.This was a cross
sectional study, conducted among 232 male prison inmates in Kumba, in December 2015. Data were collected using a
structured pretested questionnaire, and analysed using frequencies, percentages and Chi-square at the level 0.05, using SPSS
version 20 software program. The majority, 178 (76.8%) were between the ages of 25 and 45 years; most, 133 (57.3%) had
primary education and 184 (79.3%) were Christians. Most of them, 125 (53.9%) perceived that prison inmates are prone to
HIV/AIDS, and only 44 (19%) perceived that condoms are available in the prison; 56 (24.1%) perceived that sterile objects
are available in the prison; majority, 187 (80.6%) perceived that sexual intercourse exists in the prison, but only 39 (16.8%)
perceived that condoms are used by inmates. Majority, 136 (58.6%) perceived that tattooing is practised in the prison, and
170 (73.3%) agreed that sexuality education should be provided in the prison. Being of a lower academic level was associated
with an increased perception that prison inmates are prone to HIV/AIDS infection (P=0.030), and also associated with
an increased perception that tattooing is being practised in the prison (P=0.034). These findings call for concerted efforts
by stakeholders to implement strategies to improve the perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS, and to eliminate risky behaviours
among prison inmates that might expose them to HIV infection.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in ...

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. Indepth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology.