HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude among adolescents of Kamrup Metro district, Assam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20184580Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitudes, HIV/AIDS, Community-based studyAbstract
Background: AIDS is a pandemic disease which is threatening the world population. Its prevention largely depends on health education and behavioural changes based on AIDS awareness, particularly among young adults who are prone to risky behaviour. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among adolescents of Kamrup Metro district, Assam and to study the relevant socio-demographic factors.
Methods: A cross sectional, community based study was conducted for a period of three months. A total of 300 study participants from slum & non slum areas of Kamrup Metro district, Assam were included using two stage random sampling. Interview of adolescents in 15-19 years age group was taken using predesigned and pretested schedule.
Results: It was found that 95.7% of respondents had heard about AIDS. Virus as a causative agent was known to 51.6% while only 59.6% of the study subjects knew regarding asymptomatic nature of the disease. Transmission by infected syringes and needles, from infected mother to her baby & by unscreened blood transfusion was known to 69%, 74.2% and 81.8% of respondents respectively. Some misconceptions about the disease were also present. Knowledge regarding availability of treatment and prevention was found among 54.4% and 86.4% of respondents respectively. 66.5% of respondents felt that a person with HIV/AIDS must be isolated. 44% of study subjects believed that HIV/AIDS is curable.
Conclusions: Though majority of respondents were aware about AIDS but complete knowledge about this disease is still lacking. There is a need for intensified activities regarding information, education and communication for these vulnerable groups.
References
Available at: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/ files/media_asset/UNAIDS_FactSheet_en.pdf. Accessed on 20 July 2018.
National Aids Control Organization (NACO). Available at: http://www.nacoonline.org/Quick _Links/Youth/. Accessed on 5 June 2011.
Vaz FS, Ferreira AMA, Motghare DD, Kulkarni MS. Discriminatory attitudes of a rural community towards people with HIV/AIDS: Experiences from Goa. Indian J Com Med. 2005;30(2):73.
Bhosale SB, Jadhav SL, Singru SA, Banerjee A. Behavioural surveillance survey regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome among high school and junior college students. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2010;76(1):33-7.
Garg N, Singh SP, Mishra RN. Knowledge of first year graduate students about HIV/AIDS and its socio-demographic correlates in Varanasi, India. Indian J Prev Soc Med. 2005;36(3 & 4):130-6.
Lal P, Kumar A. Ingle GK. Gulati N. Knowledge and attitude of university students regarding HIV/AIDS: An urban-rural difference. J Com Dis. 1994;26:186-91.
Lal SS, Vasan RS, Sarma PS, Thankappan KR. Knowledge and attitude of college students in Kerala towards HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality. Nat Med J India. 2000;13:231-6.
Sobhan K, Kumar TS, Kumar GS, Ravikanth R, Adarsha S, Mohammad AS, et al. HIV and AIDS: Awareness and attitudes among males in a rural population. Indian J Com Med. 2004;29(3):141-2.
Gaash B, Ahmad M, Kasur R, Bashir S. Knowledge, attitude and belief on HIV/AIDS among the female senior secondary students in Srinagar District of Kashmir. Health Popul Perspect Issues. 2003;26:101-9.
Benara SK, Khelendra RK, Chaudhary BN, Ramaswamy J, Bhatacharya J, Chawla U, et al. AIDS- A Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Belief of Undergraduate Students of Delhi University. Indian J Community Med. 1992;17(4):155-9.