~ 127 ~ International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2015; 2(1): 127-130 P-ISSN: 2394-1685 E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Impact Factor (ISRA): 4.69 IJPESH 2015; 2(1): 127-130 © 2015 IJPESH www.kheljournal.com Received: 25-06-2015 Accepted: 26-07-2015 Grace Akpan Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Nigeria Maria Ikorok Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Nigeria Correspondence Grace Akpan Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, Nigeria Socio demographic Variables and Acceptance of HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies by Secondary School Teachers in Akwa State, Nigeria Grace Akpan, Maria Ikorok Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of socio demographic variables on the acceptance of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies by secondary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population for the study consisted of 6,096 teachers working in public secondary schools in the three senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State. A random sample of 600 from 20 schools in each senatorial District in groups of (30) teachers was used for the study. A 24- item structured questionnaire, developed by the researchers was used for data collection. Six objectives, research questions and hypotheses were also formulated to guide the study. The variables studied were educational qualification, religious affiliation, age, income, residential location and gender of teachers. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 alpha level of significance. The findings show statistically significant (P<0.05) influence of educational qualification, religion, age income, residential location and gender on acceptance of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies. Keywords: socio demographic factors, HIV/AIDS, and prevention strategies. Introduction Historical evidence attests to the consistent quest of humanity and the desire to safeguard health against disease and disability (ononye, 2002) [7] . The HIV pandemic has had a profound impact on the health and socio- economic status of the nation. In this regard, the potential of HIV/AIDS to affect health and national development commands urgent attention and response (FMOH, 2005). People living with HIV and AIDS are faced with the task of maintaining optimal health status despite an increasing insult to their immune status (Maeyer, 2001) [4] . In Nigeria, a good number of people are living on the brink of poverty. Thus, occurrence of the infection in the family further undermines the family’s ability to provide for her basic needs (piwoz, 2004) [8] . The Nigeria report from 1991 to 2008 indicated the following figures, 1.8% in 1991, 5.8% in 2001, and 4.4% in 2005, while slight increase of 4.6% was shown in 2008. In Akwa Ibom State, where the researcher conducted the study, the figures were 13.0% in 2001, 6.4% in 2003, 5.7% in 2005 and 9.7% was indicated in 2008. Essien Udim local Government Area which is part of the study sample had an alarming rate of 8.1% in 2001, 8.0% in 2003, 9.6% in 2005 and 5.8% in 2008 (FMOH, 2008) [2] . Ekoja (2006) [1] reported that economically disadvantaged people are more susceptible to high risk jobs such as commercial sex work as they migrate from the rural to urban centers. Most secondary school teachers belong to the middle level income group yet they keep large families. Insufficient income cannot address the issue of giving good medical and quality education to their children. It has been documented that about 13% of sampled person living with HIV/AIDS in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State were aged 46-56years (opera and John, 2007). The report also had it that the people living with AIDS were aged 31 and 43years while those within 18-30 years of age constituted 33.17 %. Statistics also indicate that for five patient affected by AIDS one is in their 20s (Singh, 2002) [9] . The significance of the high rates at low age groups is that children and young people are increasingly getting exposed to HIV infection at much younger ages. This suggests the need for prevention intervention to commence early to maximize its benefits.