Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: Aug | Volume: 7 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 319-324
Awareness of HIV/AIDS among Chest Clinic Attendee in Rural Hospital Maharashtra
Dr. Prabhakar Atmaramaji Hiwarkar1, Dr. Gajanan Charandas Soyam2 , Dr. Umesh Gajanan Kawalkar2, Dr. Umesh Shankarrao Joge2
1Professor, 2Assistant Professor , Department of Community Medicine, SVN GMC Yavatmal.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Gajanan Charandas Soyam
ABSTRACT
Background: Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) is grave problem worldwide. Illiteracy is rampant in India; so there is low level of awareness of HIV/AIDS. So this study plans to explore awareness level about HIV/AIDS in chest clinic attendee in rural hospital, Maharashtra.
Materials &Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 276 chest clinic attendee from April 2016 to September 2016 to know awareness regarding HIV/AIDS, in rural hospital Maharashtra. A predesigned pretested structured questionnaire was administered by investigator. The questionnaire consisted of four sections; first section was about the socio-economic characteristics, next regarding sources of information, ways of transmission & modes of prevention of HIV/AIDS. Collected data analyzed with the help of excel. Ethical approval granted from our institutional ethical committee.
Results: About fifty percent study subjects were in the age group of 15 to 24 years (Mean-29.3; SD-15.1). More than half study subjects were male. Most of the study population belongs to Hindu religion followed by Muslim. Around half of study participants were illiterate & primary schooling passed. Around three fourth (71.7%) study population were from rural area. Nearly three fourth (73.6%) of our study subjects were unemployed. Most of the people (83.7%) knew information of HIV/AIDS from TV, 36.2% from poster and pamphlet, 51.4% from health care personnel, 33.3% from friends & neighbors. According to 88.4% respondents HIV infection transmitted through sexual contact, 71.4% through infected blood and 66.7% by sharing of needles. According to 67.7% HIV infection is preventable and 62.7% opined that it is curable, 68.5% participants believe that HIV status should be tested and prevention of HIV could be prevented TB infection according to 72.4% study subjects.
Conclusion: Even though this research data showed good knowledge among chest clinic attendee but there is gap in the knowledge in rural tribal areas. As HIV/AIDS is a sensitive issue and HIV-TB co-infection ever increasing day by day creates worst situation in India. This issue should be re-discussed once again to find out different ways to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Key words: Awareness, knowledge, HIV/AIDS.