Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Xth standard students in Mangalore, India

Authors

  • Haleema Nuwera Department of Pediatrics, Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Anitha S. Prabhu Department of Pediatrics, Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20170084

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Mangalore

Abstract

Background: HIV an abbreviation of human immunodeficiency virus, infection of which in most advanced stage leads to AIDS. HIV/AIDS is both global public health problem and young people are at the centre of global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Lack of information and understanding about HIV/AIDS, increases their susceptibility towards the disease. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among the X grade students as well as to know the differences in knowledge across gender.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 250 students studying in X grade of 3 private schools located in Mangalore city, selected by multistage cluster sampling. The study was conducted for duration of 2 weeks using a predesigned and pre-structured questionnaire. Ethical approval from the institution and necessary permission from school authority was obtained prior to initiation of study.

Results: Mean age of the study participants was 15.40±0.615. Females were predominant in the age group of 14 and 16 years (100.0% and 53.40% respectively). Majority of them had adequate knowledge of full form of HIV (94.4%), virus as causative agent (85.6%), awareness symbol of HIV/AIDS (86.8%), modes of transmission of HIV (871.6%). Poor knowledge was observed in areas of prevention (60.4%), actions that does not transmit HIV infection (58.0%), availability of blood tests (58.0%) and drugs (42.4%). Males had better knowledge in various areas when compared to females.

Conclusions: Stringent efforts are required to improve the knowledge of HIV/AIDS by health education camps and school teachers need to be trained to enhance the knowledge of students.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

HIV/AIDS factsheet. World Health Organization 2016. Available at: http:// www.who.int /mediacentre/ factsheets/fs360/en/. Accessed on 22 November 2016.

National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). Available at: http:// naco.gov.in /sites/ default/files /Annual% 20report% 201015-16_NACO.pdf. Accessed on 22 November 2016.

National AIDS Programmes: A guide to indicators for monitoring and evaluating national HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for young people. Geneva, Switzerland. World Health Organizzation. Available at: http:// www.who.int/ hiv/pub /epidemiology /napyoungpeople.pdf. Accessed on 22 November 2016.

Department of Public Instruction. Dakshina Kannada Available at http: //www.schoole ducation.kar.nic.in/school/search/PSschlistdisp.asp. Accessed on 22 November 2016.

Bolla CR, Rao AR, Dudala SR, Ravikumar BP. Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among secondary shool students in Khammam town, Andhra Pradesh. Int J Res Dev Health. 2013;1(3):103-8.

Bhalla S, Chandwani H, Singh D, Somasundaram C, Rasania SK, Singh S. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school students in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Health Popul Perspect Issues. 2005;28:178-88.

Kotecha PV, Patel S. Measuring knowledge about HIV among youth: baseline survey for urban slums of Vadodara. Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2008;29(2):68-72.

Lal P, Nath A, Badhan S, Ingle GK. A study on awareness about HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school children of Delhi. Indian J Community Med. 2008;33(3):190-2.

Sankaranarayan S, Naik E, Reddy PS, Gurumani G, Ganesh K, Gandewar K. Impact of school based HIV/AIDS education for adolescents in Bombay, India. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1996;27:692-5.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-22

How to Cite

Nuwera, H., & Prabhu, A. S. (2017). Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Xth standard students in Mangalore, India. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 4(2), 317–321. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20170084

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles