Abstract

Nigerian undergraduates are at high risk of AIDS. The study examined the challenges of HIV/AIDS to the undergraduate students of Babcock University in the 2006/2007 academic year. The objectives of the study were: To know the level of understanding of the students about HIV/AIDS; their attitudes towards AIDS victims; utilization of information and to highlight the pivotal roles of academic libraries in the dissemination of AIDS information and its prevention. The data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaire, which was administered to the students of Babcock University, Ilishan, Remo after pre-tested. Availability sample method was used because the questionnaires were given to them as they came in to use the libraries. Seven hundred respondents were given the questionnaire to complete and return between September and October, 2007. The results of the study revealed that HIV/AIDS was seen as the most urgent health problem among the students, the existence of AIDS changed the behavior of many and made them sought for more information. Information provided by the libraries was inadequate. It was recommended that academic libraries must take keen interest in acquiring special collections on HIV/AIDS. Introduction of e-learning through academic libraries will enable individual to learn at their own pace.

Key words: Undergraduate, HIV/AIDS, academic libraries.