Background: The role of information has not been over looked in Nigeria. Information on AIDS is disseminated through various information media such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Symposia and conferences have also been organized for the purpose of creating awareness and an attempt to change public attitude.

Aim: This study was aimed at ascertaining the effect of television and radio commercials on behaviour and attitude changes towards the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS, using residents of Nsukka urban.

Methods: This study employed a cross sectional, household survey using interviewer administered questionnaires. A mixture of cluster and systematic random techniques were employed. Nsukka was grouped into 10 clusters based on geographical locations as established by a map designed by Nsukka Graduates Association. Six sections or clusters were randomly selected from the ten clusters using a random sampling technique. In each section, the first house in each street was identified, followed by systematic sampling of the next three houses. A total of 637 persons were met in the exercise after covering the selected clusters. All respondents were assured of confidentiality and anonymity. The survey was carried out from August to December, 2009. Data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 14) and descriptive analysis conducted. Responses were reported as percentages.

Results: Most of the respondents studied were youth and students. All the participants had either radio or television or both. More than 60% of respondents rated the quality of the campaign as excellent and effective. The Areas of prevention or control which the campaigns focused on (in their decreasing order) were unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners (infidelity), abstinence, transfusion of infected blood, and sharing of sharp objects. The respondent agreed that knowing HIV/AIDS status (>70%) and stopping stigmatization (>80%) could help the campaign against spread of HIV/AIDS. Lack of government commitment, corruption, lack of sexuality education in family, peer group pressure and traditional norms and practices were rated by more than 70% of the respondents as barriers to the campaign against spread of HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: In conclusion, television and radio commercials were found to have positive effects on behaviour and attitude of residents of Nsukka urban towards campaign against spread of HIV/AIDS.