International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue: 4

HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Patterns of sexual behavior among adult slum dwellers in Mumbai, India

1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

2Assosicate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding author: Saba Syed, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Email: sabasyeddr@gmail.com

Online published on 27 October, 2015.

Abstract

In India, currently 2.1 million people are living with HIV. Prevention is the mainstay of the strategic response to HIV/AIDS in India. Awareness rising brings behaviour change. People inhabiting slums have low awareness and are more vulnerable to RTI/STIs and HIV/AIDS.

To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual behaviour, reported symptoms of STI/RTI's along with the socio demographic profile of adult population of urban slum dwellers. Methods: A cross sectional, qualitative study. The study area, chosen by convenience sampling was an urban slum located in M East Ward of Greater Mumbai. The study was finally conducted with 104 participants.

The mean age of surveyed participants was 23.5yrs and nearly 38(40%) of participants were illiterate Age at first sexual intercourse among the study participants was between 12–16 years for 23(22.10%) participants. Among study participants; 30(29%) of participants do not have any knowledge about prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Urban slum residents in Mumbai have knowledge gap regarding HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. Initiation of sexual intercourse is at an early age, a high percentage report symptoms of STI/RTIs.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Sexual behaviour, Slum dwellers