Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bangalore, India
The epidemic of HIV/AIDS is now progressing at a rapid pace among young people (15 - 24 years) accounting for 40% of new infections in 2006. Education has been described as social vaccine and it can serve as a powerful preventive tool.
To assess the knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among college students To study the role of Information Education Communication (IEC) in improvement of their knowledge and attitude
A prospective study was carried out among 270 college students aged between 16 - 18 years, where knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS was assessed at baseline using pre tested questionnaires. Health education sessions were conducted on HIV/AIDS. Post Health education questionnaires were later distributed to assess the change in knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among study participants.
The overall general knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, knowledge regarding its mode of transmission, prevention and treatment was poor among the study participants. Following educational sessions a significant improvement was observed in knowledge and attitude of the students towards patients living with HIV/AIDS. Some misconceptions about HIV/AIDS were corrected through the health education intervention, as detected by improved correct response rates.
A planned HIV/AIDS education program has significantly improved the HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards patients living with HIV/AIDS. However, a small proportion still exists and needs to be addressed by other health education programmes.
AIDS, Health Education, Students, HIV
