Sharma AK, Grover VL, Aggarwal OP; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. C10797.

Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: Of the total AIDS cases reported in India, about 40% are in 15 to 29 year age group. Adequate knowledge and correct attitudes among the young adults will help in reducing the transmission oh HIV and prevention of STD among them. This study examines the knowledge of high school and college students about various aspects of HIV/AIDS, so that effective prevention education programs may be introduced to improve their knowledge. METHODS: The study was conducted among randomly selected 6 high schools and 3 colleges of Delhi, India. The participants were high school and college students. A self administered, close ended, pre tested questionnaire was used. In all 1120 students, equal number from each sex, participated in the study. RESULTS: Ninety four percent male and 90% female respondents were aware of AIDS. Awareness about transmission of HIV through sexual intercourse with an infected person was present among 90% male and 86% female respondents. Transmission through infected blood was known to 85% respondents. Mother to child transmission was known to 77.5% male and 76.6% female respondents. Breast milk as a route of transmission of HIV was known to only 86 (15.4%) male and 48 (8.6%) female students (p<0.01). Two third respondents said that AIDS has no cure. Majority of the respondents knew that AIDS is fatal. The only method of prevention known widely was practicing safe sex. Awareness about using condom was low among females (12.6%) compared to males (34%), (p<0.001). Few respondents considered abstinence (4.3%) and non sharing of needles (4.4%) as methods of prevention. About 7% were of the opinion that infected women should not have children. CONCLUSION: Lacunae remain in the knowledge of students. Prevention education programs need to be carried out in order to bridge the gaps in knowledge. Special emphasis need to be given about mother to child transmission and non sharing of needles and syringes.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• Attitude
• Awareness
• Child
• Condoms
• Counseling
• Data Collection
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• India
• Knowledge
• Male
• Questionnaires
• Safe Sex
• Students
• education
• organization & administration
• transmission

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0012682

UI: 102250180

From Meeting Abstracts