Knowledge, Attitude and Perception about HIV/AIDS among Pregnant Women in Rural Area of Dehradun

摘要

Out of 356 pregnant women interviewed regarding their knowledge, attitude and perception about HIV/ AIDS, 156 (43.8%) were illiterate and only 10 (2.8%) were graduate and above. About 15(4.2%) of the study subjects were less than 20 years of age and 6(1.8%) were of 35 years and above whereas maximum number i.e., 193(54.2%) belonged to 20-25 years of age group. Subjects mainly belonged to lower middle 101 (28.4)% and lower 110 (31%) socio-economic class. Only 125 (35.1) of subjects had heard of HIV/ AIDS. With increasing status of literacy, awareness regarding HIV/ AIDS was observed to increase i.e., from illiterate 30 (20%) to graduate and above 10 (100%) 55(44%) of the subjects responded correctly that HIV/AIDS was not transmitted by mosquito or bed bug bite. Subjects with higher levels of education i.e., intermediate/ or graduate and above responded 100% correctly to questions such as, one could get AIDS by having sex with prostitutes or multiple partners, while 76.7% illiterates responded to this question correctly. The relationship between various levels of education and knowledge on modes of transmission was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Among those who had heard of HIV/ AIDS, 94(75.2%) perceived serious threat of AIDS to the human health in near future. Mass communication was source of information on HIV / AIDS among 109(87.2%) subjects. Television being the most common source of information (73.6%).