Abstract
Introduction: Students of higher education are more likely to be at risk of HIV/AIDS. Insufficient knowledge and less favourable attitudes are the major hindrances to prevent the spread of HIV.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess HIV/AIDS related knowledge and attitude of first year college students in Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district.
Materials & Methods: An Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 first year college students during November and December 2016. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect Socio-demographic variables, Knowledge and Attitude of students. Authors guided self-administered data collection technique was used to collect data. Mean score and percentage were used to determine the level of Knowledge and Attitude. Interpretation and analysis of the data was done using IBM SPSS version 20.
Results: Out the 460 students, who participated, 126 were males and 334 were females. All the students had heard about HIV/AIDS. Majority (61.7%) of students participated in this study had information on the difference between HIV and AIDS. There was statistically significant difference among males and females about their knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion: Though the general level of knowledge of students about HIV/AIDS was not poor, they had a number of misconceptions about it, which need to be addressed.
Keywords: College students, Knowledge, Attitude, HIV/AIDS.
References
- Park K. Epidemiology of communicable diseases. Park’s textbook of preventive and social medicine. 24th ed. Jabalpur: M/s. Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers; 2017. p. 361-73.
- UNAIDS (2017), Fact Sheet 2017, Global statistics-2016. [Retrieved from: http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet] [Last assessed on 2018 Sep 16]
- UNAIDS (2017). [Retrieved from: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/20170720_Data_book_2017_en.pdf] [Last assessed on 2018 Sep 17]
- NACO (2017) ‘Annual Report 2016-2017'.
- of India (2012), Annual Report2011-12, NACO, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi
- National AIDS Control Organization/ MoHFW/GoI. [Retrieved from: http://www.naco.gov.in/youth] [Last assessed on 2018 Sep 16]
- Shiferaw Y, Alemu A, Girma A et al. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and risk behaviours towards HIV/AIDs and other sexual transmitted infections among preparatory students of Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. BMC Research Notes. 2011; 4(505):2-8.
- Agbedia C. knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of sand witch undergraduate students of delta state University, Abraka, Nigerion condom use in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy. IOSR-JHss. 2013; 7(4): 73-78.
- Colleges in West Bengal, University Grants Commission. [Retrieved from: https://web.archiv.org]
- Colleges under University of North Bengal. [Retrieved from: https://web.archiv.org]
- Mulu W, Abera B, Yimer M: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on HIV/AIDS among students of Bahir Dar University. Science Journal of Public Health. Vol.2.2014.pp.78-86.
- Lal SS, Vasan RS, Sharma PS, Thankappan KR. Knowledge and attitude of college students in Kerala towards HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality. Natl Med J India 2000; 13:231-6.
- Sandhu P, Zarabi D: Awareness and Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Punjab University Students. International Journal of Education and Psychological Research. Vol.4, Issue2, june 2015.
- Deb S. Attitude of nursing students of Kolkata towards caring of HIV/AIDS patients.IJCM 2004; 29:111-3.
- Udgiri R, Yadavannavar MC, Angadi MM, Sharvanan E. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among first year medical students. Al-Ameen J Med Sci 2011; 4:280-2.
- Joshi AV, Nikam K, Hungund BR, Viveki RG, Nikam SV, et al. Knowledge about and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among first year medical students: A cross-sectional study. J Sci Soc 2013; 40:155-8
- Shankar PR, Subish P, Paudel R, Alam K: Perception and Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among Students in a College in Western Nepal. SAARC Journal of Tuberculosis, Lung Diseases & HIV/AIDS. 2009 VI (2) 11-16.
- Kuruvila M. KAP study on HIV/AIDS among first year MBBS students. Indian J Dermatol Venerol Leprol 1997; 63:225-8.
- Basavayya GS. Awareness of HIV/AIDS among medical students. Indian J Public Health 2005; 49:31-2.
- Hansoon M, Stockfelt L, Urazalin M, Ahlm C, Anderson R. HIV/AIDS awareness and risk behavior among students in Semey, Kazakhstan: A cross sectional survey. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 2008; 8:14.
- McManus A, Dhar L. Study of knowledge, perception and attitude of adolescent girls towards STIs/HIV, safer sex and sex education: (A cross sectional survey of urban adolescent school girls in South Delhi, India). BMC Womens Health 2008; 8:12.
- Bhalla S, Chandwani H, Singh D, Somasundaram C, Rasania SK, Singh S. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school students in Jamanagar, Gujrat. Health Popul2005; 28:178-88.
Corresponding Author
Dr Louis Tirkey
Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, North Bengal Medical College
P.O. Sushrutnagar, West Bengal, India, Pin: 734012
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mobile: 9434234599
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i9.135
