ADOLESCENT GIRLS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES TOWARD HIV: EVIDENCE FROM A SCHOOL-BASED SURVEY

Background Adolescent girls remain a priority population in HIV prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa due to heightened biological, social, and structural vulnerabilities. In Nigeria, schools serve as critical platforms for HIV education; however, evidence suggests that awareness alone may not be sufficient to ensure consistent preventive practices among adolescents. Understanding the interplay between knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors is essential for designing effective interventions. This study examined HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among female secondary school students in an urban Nigerian setting. Methods A cross-sectional, school-based survey was conducted among 150 female adolescents aged 14–18 years attending a public girls’ secondary school in southeastern Nigeria. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed HIV transmission knowledge, common misconceptions, attitudes toward prevention and testing, perceived self-efficacy, and reported preventive practices. The instrument was pilot-tested for internal consistency prior to data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Adequate HIV knowledge was defined as achieving at least 70% correct responses across knowledge items. Results Overall, 72.4% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of HIV. Correct identification of sexual transmission was high (90.0%), as was awareness of blood-related transmission (85.3%). However, notable misconceptions persisted: 27.3% believed HIV could be transmitted through casual contact, and 21.9% perceived HIV as a condition affecting only specific groups. Attitudes toward HIV prevention were moderately positive, with 68.0% expressing willingness to undergo HIV testing and 61.3% reporting confidence in negotiating safer behaviours. Preventive practices were less robust; although 74.6% acknowledged the effectiveness of condoms, only 58.7% accurately identified all routes of mother-to-child transmission. Information sources were predominantly school-based (79.3%), followed by social media (65.4%) and parents or guardians (49.8%). Conclusions The findings reveal moderate HIV knowledge and generally positive attitudes among adolescent girls, alongside persistent misconceptions and gaps in preventive practices. Strengthening school-based HIV prevention efforts should prioritize correcting misinformation, enhancing practical prevention skills, and leveraging both formal education and digital platforms to support informed and sustained protective behaviors among adolescents.