https://imcjms.com/public Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/public/registration/journal_full_text/13 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 07:54:51 +0000 Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2007; 1(2): 5-8 Key Words: HIV/AIDS, adolescents, awareness, Bangladesh Introduction AIDS has become a major public health concern throughout the world and is taking a major toll of human lives and spreading relentlessly1. By the mid 1980’s it was evident that the virus had spread largely unnoticed with a global effect2.WHO/UNAIDS estimates that world wide about 63 million men, women and children have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic3. In Bangladesh, the number of adolescents is around 31 million, or close to 26% of the total population4. Available statistics on AIDS patients since 1984 revealed quite a large number from this group of population5. It is estimated that about four million people have acquired HIV/AIDS in the South East Asia region; the majority of new infection occurring during adolescence6. Although Bangladesh has not reported any major figures of HIV/AIDS sufferers, little is known about its awareness amongst the adolescents. Various government and non-government agencies have conducted limited studies focusing primarily on adult population7. Adolescents, though vulnerable, have little or no knowledge on AIDS. This study was conducted on a number (139) of college going boys and girls to have some information about their awareness on this emerging problem in Bangladesh.Materials and Methods This descriptive type of study was conducted between April and June 2003. A total of 139 respondents were selected from two colleges, namely Notre Dame College (Boy’s) and Siddeshwari College (Girl’s) within Dhaka City. A face to face interview on the basis of their availability were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The students’ knowledge on AIDS was calculated by constructing a score sheet. A total of 31 correct options were present against various questions on knowledge of AIDS. The following method was adopted for scoring: Each correct answer = 1mark. A score of 3 was assigned to those who could answer ³ 3 correct options against one question. A score of 2 was assigned when one answered at least 2 correct options against a question. A score of 1 was given for at least 1 correct option. Thus the total score for 31 correct answers was calculated, 31 being the highest achievable total mark. Based on this total score the following categories were made:    Good knowledge:    20 - 31     Average knowledge:   10 - 19    Poor knowledge:     <10   Respondents were asked about the consequence of AIDS. Their responses are shown in Table-1. Table-1: Distribution of the respondents by their knowledge on consequences of AIDS No of Respondents Premature death 81.9 7 Easy entrance of other diseases 3.6 26 Others (burden of society, social boycott etc.) 5.0 Prostitutes, blood receiver, sharing needle among drug addicts were high risk groups for contracting AIDS as stated by 133 (95.7%), 129 (92.8%) and 126 (90.6%) respondents respectively. Foetus of AIDS infected pregnant mothers, babies of nursing mothers and health personnel were also mentioned by some to be in the high risk group. The respondents’ knowledge on AIDS was calculated as per the score described in the methods section. This is shown in Table-2.   aspects of AIDS Score 1 Score 3 4 (2.9%) 132 (94.9%) 15 (10.8%) 10 (7.2%) 26 (18.7%) 41 (29.5%)                                                                             Poor Knowledge Average Knowledge Good Knowledge Total 14 (23.0) 9 (14.8) Arts 12 (50.0) 24 (100) 25 (46.3) 1 (1.9) Total 78 139             c = 10.750, df = 4, p = 0.030 Discussion This study attempts to determine the level of knowledge on AIDS amongst adolescent students. One male and a female college were selected for this purpose where the students were in their adolescence (16.8 ± 0.56 years). Similar age groups have been studied in China, Thailand, Zimbabweand USA8-12. Almost all the respondents heard the name of AIDS which was also true in other studies conducted within the country13,14. Similar to studies by Jingqi C et al.15 and Bari MA et al.13, more than 90% respondents did mention sexual relation, blood transfusion and sharing of needles as a major route of transmission of AIDS. Although trans-placental transmission was mentioned by 94.3% respondents in a study conducted by Peking University, China15, this was relatively unknown in our respondents. The major consequence of AIDS that is decreased immunity and vulnerability to various diseases was not known to many. While tabulating the score sheet, for disease transmission, 95% respondents received a score of 3. Study conducted in similar groups of respondents showed almost same level of knowledge (90%)13. Regarding high risk groups and prevention, majority of the respondents got a score of 2. The level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS focused that average knowledge was found among most of the respondents (56.1%). A similar study on Thai youths8 revealed same findings. But the level was much lower in other studies(1,16) while in the University of Central Florida, the young college students were much more knowledgeable on HIV/AIDS10. The students belonging to the Science group were perceptibly more knowledgeable than the other groups. The reasons could be two. One, better students opt for the science group, and two, biology as a subject is covered in this group. Almost all respondents (91.4%) mentioned the television as a source of information on AIDS. Several studies mentioned this as a powerful medium for gathering knowledge on recent topics including AIDS(7,12-14,16,17). Conclusion Respondents had very little knowledge on the consequences of HIV. Less than half had any knowledge about the role of condoms in preventing AIDS. Most of the respondents got information from the TV regarding AIDS. Mass media like TV should be more frequently utilized to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS, by focusing in-depth discussion on the consequences and role of condoms in preventing AIDS. The focus group should primarily be the adolescents who seem to be the most vulnerable and least targeted. References 2.    Mannan S, Alamgir ASM, Begum K. HIV/ AIDS and STD situation in Bangladesh. In: Hossain AMZ, editor. Yearly health situation report 2000. Institute of epidemiology disease control and research 2001: 122-24. 4.    UNESCO: Booklet 1 on Demographic profile for communication and advocacy strategies adolescent reproductive and sexual health. UNESCO PROAP Regional Clearing House on Population Education and Communication; Bangkok, Thailand, 1999. 6.    WHO: Strategies for adolescent health and development, South-East Asia Region: Report of an inter-country consultation. New Delhi, 26-29 May, 1998. 8.    Khan MI. Study on the relationship between premarital sexual experience and knowledge about HIV/ AIDS among Thai youth. Asia Pacific conference on reproductive health 2001, Feb 15-19; Philippine Trade Training Centre, Manila, Philippines. 10.  Brown EJ. AIDS related risk behavior of young college students. ABNF-J 2000 Mar-Apr; 11(2): 37-43. 12.  Campbell B, Mbizvo MT. Sexual behavior and HIV knowledge among adolescent boys in Zimbabwe. Cent Afr J Med 1994; 40(9): 245-50. 14.  Shahidullah MD, Bangali MA. Assessing awareness and perception of AIDS. JOPSOM 1990; 4(2): 47-52. 16.  Zamora RM, O’Brien EM, Mahinay MA. A study on the knowledge, attitude and practices of the general population in Davao city in terms of HIV/AIDS/STD issues. Asia Pacific conference on reproductive health 2001, Feb 15-19; Philippine Trade Training Centre, Manila, Philippines. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.