Knowledge, awareness, and behavior study on HIV/AIDS among engineering students in and around Guntur, South India

• Main Authors: S Deepika Chowdary, Neeelima Dasari, Deepthi M Chitipothu, Ravi T Chitturi, K Lalith Prakash Chandra, Baddam V. R. Reddy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences
• Subjects: AIDS; attitude; engineering students; HIV; knowledge; questionnaire
• Online Access: http://www.jdrntruhs.org/article.asp?issn=2277-8632;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=26;epage=30;aulast=Chowdary

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the important contagion issues in the world. It poses serious challenges not only to health professionals but professionals across industries. In India, in general, studies on HIV are carried out among medical and paramedical students and least among non- medical students, whose awareness is of prime importance. Aim: This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS among engineering students in and around Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 engineering college students in and around Guntur. A self-administered questionnaire was given and the results were tabulated and analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data was entered in excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS v. 20.0 software. Data was analyzed using student's t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Out of 400 students, 257 (64.2%) were males and 143 (35.7%) were females. Maximum students (97.2%) indicated they know about HIV/AIDS. Eighty-nine percent (89.7%) of the students responded that needle prick injury can transmit HIV infection, whereas 82.5% of the responders knew that HIV/AIDS affects immune systems. A total of 66.5% of individuals agreed that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS and 72.0% of individuals responded that HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through saliva and 20.5% of the students felt that it is necessary to isolate the infected individuals from general public. Conclusions: In addition to medical and para medical students, it is very important for the youth to be aware of HIV/AIDS and its social implications.