LIFESTYLE AND PREVALENCE OF HIV/AIDS IN RIVERINE COMMUNITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study was designed to assess lifestyle and prevalence of HIV/AIDS among riverine communities in Akwa Ibom State. Five Local Government Areas with 500 randomly selected respondents were picked from systematic sampled households. One hundred respondents represented each of the five community’s .Researchersconstructed questionnaire titled Lifestyle and Prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Riverine Communities Questionnaire (LIPHARCQ) was administered to the respondents. Responses were analysed using the descriptive statistics of simple percentages for research questions and inferential statistics of x2 to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 60%) of the respondents believed that HIV/AIDS is caused by witchcraft, while 60% agreed to have more than one sexual partner. Recommendations include enlightenment campaign and voluntary counselling and testing on HIV/AIDS as well as the provision of health care services in all riverine communities of Akwa Ibom State.