1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, VIMS, Ballari
2UG Student, Dept. of Community Medicine, VIMS, Ballari
India estimates third highest number of HIV infections in the world, with about 2.4 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS. Adolescents often face a significant barrier to get the in-formation, education and services required. Discussing reproductive and sexual matter freely is still a taboo in our society. Present study was designed to investigate current awareness and knowledge levels of pre university students about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) transmission, misconcepts, prevention and attitude of students towards patients living with HIV/AIDS.
Totally 478 students were participated and were asked to fill out a structured questionnaire form which was consisted with 42 questions. The form contained two scales, one of socio-demographical profile of the individuals and the other scale was about knowledge and attitude levels of students.
Findings show that overall general knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission routes (60%), prevention (28.87%) and treatment (59.6%) was good among the study participants. Physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology (PCMB) student's knowledge regarding transmission, prevention, and attitude towards the People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) was better compared to Physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science (PCMCS) and Commerce students (p value <0.01).
Knowledge on modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS is poor among pre university students. And biology students had better knowledge; hence the reproductive health education should be a part of curriculum in all schools, so that all learn before they are diverged into different study subjects for degree/colleges. Public awareness programs should be directed to society.
Pre university students, Knowledge levels, Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
