Correlates of Peer Influence and Resistance to HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Kano State, Nigeria
The psychological impact of peer influence on its
individual group members, can make them resist HIV/AIDS
counselling and testing. This study investigated the correlate of peer
influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS counselling and testing among
students in tertiary institutions in Kano state, Nigeria. To achieve
this, three null hypotheses were postulated and tested. Cross-
Sectional Survey Design was employed in which 1512 sample was
selected from a student population of 104,841.Simple Random
Sampling was used in the selection. A self-developed 20-item scale
called Peer Influence and Psychological Resistance Inventory
(PIPRI) was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment
Correlation (PPMCC) via test-retest method was applied to estimate a
reliability coefficient of 0.86 for the scale. Data obtained was
analyzed using t-test and PPMCC at 0.05 level of confidence. Results
reveal 26.3% (397) of the respondents being influenced by their peer
group, while 39.8% showed resistance. Also, the t-tests and PPMCC
statistics were greater than their respective critical values. This shows
that there was a significant gender difference in peer influence and a
difference between peer influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS
counselling and testing. However, a positive relationship between
peer influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS counselling and testing
was shown. A major recommendation offered suggests the use of
reinforcement and social support for positive attitudes and
maintenance of safe behaviour among students who patronize
HIV/AIDS counselling.
[1] Center for Disease Control (2006). Healthy youth! YRBSS Youth on-line:
Comprehensive results. Accessed Oct. 11, 2006,
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss.
[2] Sherif, M., & Sherif, C. (1964). Reference groups. Chicago: Regnery
[3] Youniss, J., & Smollar, J. (1985). Adolescents' relations with mothers,
fathers, and friends.Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
[4] Clausen, John A. (ed.) (1968) Socialization and Society. Boston: Little
Brown and Company.
[5] Tarrant, M. (2002). Adolescent peer groups and social identity. Social
Development, 11, 110-123. doi:10.1111/1467-9507.00189
[6] Nieuwboer, C., Maes, H., & Swanepoel, T. (2005). A Quantitative test of
the Cultural Theory of risk perceptions: Comparison with the
psychometric paradigm. Risk Analysis, 18(5), 635-647.
[7] Abdullahi, M.I. (2003). Guidance and Counselling strategies for the
prevention and management of HIV/AIDS prevalence in schools. In
S.M. Saye (ed.), Main Issues in Guidance and Counselling for tertiary
institutions (vol.1, p.136 – 142). Kano: Rainbow Royale.
[8] Iliyasu, Z., Abubakar, I.S., Kabir, M., & Aliyu, M.H. (2012). A survey of
HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual behaviour and attitude towards VCT
among out-of-school youth in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Retrieved
September 15, 2012 from https//www.nonapublishers.com/catalog/
shopping_cart.php
[9] Singh, A. & Saini, H. (2007). Public perceptions of health risks from
polluted coastal bathing waters: A mixed methodological analysis using
Cultural Theory. Risk Analysis, 20(5), 691-704.
[10] Ekanem, E.E., & Gbadegesin, A.(2004). Voluntary Counselling and
Testing (VCT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: a study on
acceptability by Nigerian women attending antenatal clinics. African
Journal of Reproductive Health 8(2), 91-100. Available at
http//www.jstor.org/stable/3583183
[11] Mebu, V.A. (2008). HIV/AIDS awareness and attitudes towards sexual
behaviour of students of University of Jos. University of Jos-Nigeria:
Unpublished M.Ed dissertation.
[12] National Agency for the Control of AIDS (2010) ‘National HIV/AIDS
response review 2005-09’. Available at http//:www.nacagov.ng/
indexphp/index.php?option=com_docman&.html
[13] AIDS Alert (2002). AIDS stigma forms an insidious barrier to
prevention/care. HIV Experts in India 17(9), 111-113.
[14] Masha, G.I. (2003). Counseling in HIV/AIDS: the nature and purpose.
In S.M. Saye (ed.), Main issues in guidance and counseling for tertiary
institutions (vol.1, p.148 – 157). Kano:
[15] Kalichman, S.C., & Simbayi, L.C.(2003). HIV testing attitudes, AIDS
stigma, and voluntary HIV counselling and testing in a black township
in Cape Town, South Africa. Sexual Transmitted Infections 76(6), 125-
142.
[16] Family Health International.(2007). HIV counselling and testing for
youth(PDF). NC. USA: Research Triangle Park. http://www.fhi.org.
[17] Central Intelligence Agency (2010). World Fact Book: HIV/AIDS in
Nigeria. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http//:www.cia.gov/
library/publication/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
[18] Haruna, A. S. (2012). Impacts of stereotyping and stigmatization on
VCT among undergraduate students of Federal College of Education,
Kano. A paper presented at the 14th National conference of the School of
Education, Federal College of Education, Kano 16th – 20th July, 2012.
[19] Van Denburg, T.F., & Kiesler, D.J. (2002). "An Interpersonal
Communication Perspective on Resistance in Psychotherapy". Journal
of Clinical Psychology 58 (2): 195–205. doi:10.1002/jclp.1143.
PMID 11793332.
[20] Cautilli, J. D., & Santilli-Connor, L. (2000) Assisting the
Client/Consultee to Do What is Needed: A Functional Analysis of
Resistance and other Forms of Avoidance. The Behaviour Analyst
Today, 1(3), 37-42. BAO.
[21] Ahmad, U. (2007). Attitudes of students to VCT: A case study of Federal
College of Education, Kano. Unpublished Post graduate research
project, Federal College of Education, Kano.
[22] Rabi’u, H., Abdulfatah, M., Reuben, O.I., Musa, S.A & Imran, U. G
(2005). Effects of peer pressure on acceptability of VCT among
secondary school students in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano
State. A paper presented at the 7th National conference of the School of
Education, Federal College of Education, Kano 10th – 14th July, 2005.
[23] Adewale, S (2006). Factors predicting uptake of VCT in a real life
setting in a mother and child centre in Lagos, Nigeria. A paper presented
at the 8th National conference of the school of Education, Federal
College of Education, Kano, 17th – 20th July, 2006
[24] Labaran, A.B. & Abdulkarim, M.U (2012). Factors influencing
acceptability of voluntary counselling and HIV-testing among pregnant
women in Northern Nigeria. Unpublished undergraduate research
project, Federal College of Education, Kano.
[25] Ahmad, U & Dalhatu, K (2007). HIV risk perception, peer pressure and
acceptability of VCT among adolescents in Kano State. A joint paper
presented at the Post graduate seminar series, Federal College of
Education, Kano
[26] The Research Advisors (2006). Sample size table. Retrieved October 10,
2012 from http//:www.research-advisors.com/tools/samplesize.thm
[27] Nkpa, N. (1997). Educational research for modern scholars. Enugu:
Fourth Dimension.
[1] Center for Disease Control (2006). Healthy youth! YRBSS Youth on-line:
Comprehensive results. Accessed Oct. 11, 2006,
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss.
[2] Sherif, M., & Sherif, C. (1964). Reference groups. Chicago: Regnery
[3] Youniss, J., & Smollar, J. (1985). Adolescents' relations with mothers,
fathers, and friends.Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
[4] Clausen, John A. (ed.) (1968) Socialization and Society. Boston: Little
Brown and Company.
[5] Tarrant, M. (2002). Adolescent peer groups and social identity. Social
Development, 11, 110-123. doi:10.1111/1467-9507.00189
[6] Nieuwboer, C., Maes, H., & Swanepoel, T. (2005). A Quantitative test of
the Cultural Theory of risk perceptions: Comparison with the
psychometric paradigm. Risk Analysis, 18(5), 635-647.
[7] Abdullahi, M.I. (2003). Guidance and Counselling strategies for the
prevention and management of HIV/AIDS prevalence in schools. In
S.M. Saye (ed.), Main Issues in Guidance and Counselling for tertiary
institutions (vol.1, p.136 – 142). Kano: Rainbow Royale.
[8] Iliyasu, Z., Abubakar, I.S., Kabir, M., & Aliyu, M.H. (2012). A survey of
HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual behaviour and attitude towards VCT
among out-of-school youth in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Retrieved
September 15, 2012 from https//www.nonapublishers.com/catalog/
shopping_cart.php
[9] Singh, A. & Saini, H. (2007). Public perceptions of health risks from
polluted coastal bathing waters: A mixed methodological analysis using
Cultural Theory. Risk Analysis, 20(5), 691-704.
[10] Ekanem, E.E., & Gbadegesin, A.(2004). Voluntary Counselling and
Testing (VCT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: a study on
acceptability by Nigerian women attending antenatal clinics. African
Journal of Reproductive Health 8(2), 91-100. Available at
http//www.jstor.org/stable/3583183
[11] Mebu, V.A. (2008). HIV/AIDS awareness and attitudes towards sexual
behaviour of students of University of Jos. University of Jos-Nigeria:
Unpublished M.Ed dissertation.
[12] National Agency for the Control of AIDS (2010) ‘National HIV/AIDS
response review 2005-09’. Available at http//:www.nacagov.ng/
indexphp/index.php?option=com_docman&.html
[13] AIDS Alert (2002). AIDS stigma forms an insidious barrier to
prevention/care. HIV Experts in India 17(9), 111-113.
[14] Masha, G.I. (2003). Counseling in HIV/AIDS: the nature and purpose.
In S.M. Saye (ed.), Main issues in guidance and counseling for tertiary
institutions (vol.1, p.148 – 157). Kano:
[15] Kalichman, S.C., & Simbayi, L.C.(2003). HIV testing attitudes, AIDS
stigma, and voluntary HIV counselling and testing in a black township
in Cape Town, South Africa. Sexual Transmitted Infections 76(6), 125-
142.
[16] Family Health International.(2007). HIV counselling and testing for
youth(PDF). NC. USA: Research Triangle Park. http://www.fhi.org.
[17] Central Intelligence Agency (2010). World Fact Book: HIV/AIDS in
Nigeria. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http//:www.cia.gov/
library/publication/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
[18] Haruna, A. S. (2012). Impacts of stereotyping and stigmatization on
VCT among undergraduate students of Federal College of Education,
Kano. A paper presented at the 14th National conference of the School of
Education, Federal College of Education, Kano 16th – 20th July, 2012.
[19] Van Denburg, T.F., & Kiesler, D.J. (2002). "An Interpersonal
Communication Perspective on Resistance in Psychotherapy". Journal
of Clinical Psychology 58 (2): 195–205. doi:10.1002/jclp.1143.
PMID 11793332.
[20] Cautilli, J. D., & Santilli-Connor, L. (2000) Assisting the
Client/Consultee to Do What is Needed: A Functional Analysis of
Resistance and other Forms of Avoidance. The Behaviour Analyst
Today, 1(3), 37-42. BAO.
[21] Ahmad, U. (2007). Attitudes of students to VCT: A case study of Federal
College of Education, Kano. Unpublished Post graduate research
project, Federal College of Education, Kano.
[22] Rabi’u, H., Abdulfatah, M., Reuben, O.I., Musa, S.A & Imran, U. G
(2005). Effects of peer pressure on acceptability of VCT among
secondary school students in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano
State. A paper presented at the 7th National conference of the School of
Education, Federal College of Education, Kano 10th – 14th July, 2005.
[23] Adewale, S (2006). Factors predicting uptake of VCT in a real life
setting in a mother and child centre in Lagos, Nigeria. A paper presented
at the 8th National conference of the school of Education, Federal
College of Education, Kano, 17th – 20th July, 2006
[24] Labaran, A.B. & Abdulkarim, M.U (2012). Factors influencing
acceptability of voluntary counselling and HIV-testing among pregnant
women in Northern Nigeria. Unpublished undergraduate research
project, Federal College of Education, Kano.
[25] Ahmad, U & Dalhatu, K (2007). HIV risk perception, peer pressure and
acceptability of VCT among adolescents in Kano State. A joint paper
presented at the Post graduate seminar series, Federal College of
Education, Kano
[26] The Research Advisors (2006). Sample size table. Retrieved October 10,
2012 from http//:www.research-advisors.com/tools/samplesize.thm
[27] Nkpa, N. (1997). Educational research for modern scholars. Enugu:
Fourth Dimension.
@article{"International Journal of Medical, Medicine and Health Sciences:68417", author = "A. S. Haruna and M. U. Tambawal and A. A. Salawu", title = "Correlates of Peer Influence and Resistance to HIV/AIDS Counselling and Testing among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Kano State, Nigeria", abstract = "The psychological impact of peer influence on its
individual group members, can make them resist HIV/AIDS
counselling and testing. This study investigated the correlate of peer
influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS counselling and testing among
students in tertiary institutions in Kano state, Nigeria. To achieve
this, three null hypotheses were postulated and tested. Cross-
Sectional Survey Design was employed in which 1512 sample was
selected from a student population of 104,841.Simple Random
Sampling was used in the selection. A self-developed 20-item scale
called Peer Influence and Psychological Resistance Inventory
(PIPRI) was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment
Correlation (PPMCC) via test-retest method was applied to estimate a
reliability coefficient of 0.86 for the scale. Data obtained was
analyzed using t-test and PPMCC at 0.05 level of confidence. Results
reveal 26.3% (397) of the respondents being influenced by their peer
group, while 39.8% showed resistance. Also, the t-tests and PPMCC
statistics were greater than their respective critical values. This shows
that there was a significant gender difference in peer influence and a
difference between peer influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS
counselling and testing. However, a positive relationship between
peer influence and resistance to HIV/AIDS counselling and testing
was shown. A major recommendation offered suggests the use of
reinforcement and social support for positive attitudes and
maintenance of safe behaviour among students who patronize
HIV/AIDS counselling.
", keywords = "Peer influence, HIV/AIDS counselling and testing,
Resistance.", volume = "8", number = "9", pages = "671-4", }
