HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior of pregnant Korean women

OBJECTIVE: To assess HIV-AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior of pregnant Korean women before designing patient and public education programs. DESIGN: Pre-experimental cross-sectional survey. POPULATION, SAMPLE, SETTING, YEARS: Convenience sample of 409 women at six prenatal clinics in Seoul, Korea, in 1993. OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires. FINDINGS: The women described high levels of knowledge about HIV and AIDS risk factors but less knowledge about transmission of the virus, as well as attitudes of rejection toward unrelated people with HIV/AIDS; 16% provided condoms for their husband's use in extramarital sex, the primary risk behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Korean women are at risk for heterosexual transmission of HIV despite knowledge of risk factors. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Korean education programs for women should focus on modes of heterosexual transmission, care of individuals with HIV or AIDS, self-assessment of HIV-AIDS risk, and self protection.     

Analysis of a theoretical model based on similarity for studying RNA base pairings

A prospective health-education research project about AIDS knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS was conducted in Athens and nine adjacent municipalities in west Attica, Greece. Socioeconomic and demographic data, AIDS knowledge, and attitudinal information were collected from 1552 respondents and analysed treating the attitudes of stigmatization, discrimination and fear towards AIDS as the dependent variable. Statistically significant correlations were found between each of the three attitudinal variables and the independent ones; specifically, age, place of residence, marital status and level of AIDS knowledge. Our working hypothesis--that the higher the level of AIDS knowledge, the lower the level of discrimination and stigmatization--was supported by our data. The relationship between AIDS knowledge and fear was less clear. Fear probably inhibits a rational approach to screening for HIV, and more empirical research is needed about fear and its interaction with stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours. Such research should be aimed at identifying population groups 'at risk' of expressing high levels of negative social attitudes about AIDS so that educational programmes can be appropriately designed.     

Australian and South African undergraduates' HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

To understand safe sex behavior in two countries which have been differentially affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the present study compared the AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of 920 heterosexual undergraduate students in Australia and 228 heterosexual undergraduate students in South Africa. South African students were found to have significantly less knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and significantly less favorable attitudes toward safe sex behavior than their Australian counterparts. They were also more likely to report that they have avoided various groups of people for fear of contracting AIDS. Experience from Australia over the period 1986-1995 suggests that significant improvements in the AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of South African undergraduates are achievable.     

Long-term peritoneal dialysis before transplantation and intra-abdominal infection after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations

OBJECTIVE: To examine the attitudes and knowledge of health care professionals regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in countries with a varying prevalence of HIV infection to assist in the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) educational programs. DESIGN: Anonymous questionnaire with four sections: demographics, attitudes, knowledge, and an open-ended question investigating feelings about the potential impact that HIV infection may have on respondents' practices. PARTICIPANTS: Final-year medical students, house staff, and attending physicians at teaching hospitals in India, Thailand, Canada, and the United States. RESULTS: From January to October 1992, 819 health care professionals completed the questionnaire: 340 from India, 196 from Canada, 155 from the United States, and 128 from Thailand. The percentage of respondents who had previous contact with patients with HIV/AIDS varied from 30% to 98%; it was lowest in India, followed by Thailand and then Canada, and highest in the United States. Percentages of respondents uncomfortable performing a physical examination on a patient with HIV/AIDS were 24%, 25%, 9%, and 4%, respectively. Mean HIV/AIDS knowledge scores were 83%, 84%, 92%, and 93%, respectively. Most respondents correctly identified modes of transmission of HIV infection. Only 67% of Indian health care professionals understood the concept of a false-negative screening serologic test, compared with 98% of Canadian health care professionals. In Canada and the United States, only 78% and 76%, respectively, understood the concept of a false-positive screening serologic test. Awareness of an asymptomatic stage of HIV infection ranged from 32% in India to 74% in Canada. Despite their concerns of becoming infected, health care professionals in countries with a lower prevalence of HIV infection reported a strong ethical duty to care for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Level of comfort in caring for HIV-infected patients and HIV/AIDS knowledge scores varied directly with the amount of previous contact with these patients. Disturbing numbers of health care professionals from all four countries did not understand the potential problems of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serologic test and a significant percentage were unaware of the asymptomatic stage of HIV infection. There is a universal need for increased education of health care professionals about HIV infection and AIDS.     

Dynamics of knowledge and attitudes about AIDS among the educated in southern India

AIDS awareness and attitudes among an educated segment of the Indian population were assessed. The study population was a total of 433 students and faculty in colleges and universities, and research & technical staff of the Public Health Service. While most knew that sexual intercourse (96%) & injection drug use (85%) could transmit HIV, and that shaking hands (95%) & mosquitoes (86%) could not, 63% did not know that breastfeeding was a mode of transmission and 71% falsely believed that they could acquire HIV by donating blood. The only variable to correlate positively with knowledge was education. Knowledge about true and false modes of transmission constituted three distinct dimensions as determined by factor analysis. An overwhelming majority (90%) harboured at least one hostile view towards persons with AIDS. Knowledge and education independently correlated with decreased hostility. There was great concern about the impact of the disease: 85% believed that AIDS is a very serious problem in India and 93% favoured increased government spending on AIDS education. These results display high levels of knowledge (with some gaps), and widespread support for increased action.     

The role of reactive nitrogen intermediates in modulation of gametocyte infectivity of rodent malaria parasites

Two hundred and fourteen young women received acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention interventions at an inner-city family health center serving minority patients predominantly. The community in which the health center is located has a high incidence of intravenous (IV) drug abuse. Either a peer or a health care provider delivered the intervention. In the peer-delivered intervention, a trained peer educator reviewed with patients an AIDS "Rap" videotape and several AIDS brochures, which imparted information about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its transmission, and prevention. In the provider-delivered intervention, family practice residents, attending physicians, and nurse practitioners used a patient-centered counseling approach to convey the same information. Questionnaires administered immediately before and after the intervention and at one month follow-up evaluated changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Analyses of data from both combined intervention groups revealed significant improvements in several areas of knowledge, including the effectiveness of using a condom and cleaning IV drug implements with bleach to prevent transmission of HIV. Many improvements were retained at the one-month follow-up. In addition, subjects in both groups who were sexually active stated immediately after the intervention that asking a sexual partner about past sexual experience would now be less difficult, and at one-month follow-up they reported a significant decrease in the frequency of vaginal sex. Our findings suggest that counseling by physicians can achieve more changes in knowledge of sexual risks, whereas peer education can achieve greater changes in knowledge about IV drug use. Results show that both approaches to AIDS prevention used in this study can significantly affect knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behavior.     

Planning and evaluating strategies for AIDS health education interventions in the Muslim community in Uganda

In 1992 the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda designed an AIDS prevention project. A baseline survey was conducted to assess prevailing knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the Muslim communities in two districts. A low rate of incorrect beliefs about HIV transmission was found, although gaps in knowledge remain, particularly regarding vertical transmission and asymptomatic HIV infection. Less than 10% knew that condoms can protect against HIV transmission. Lack of knowledge was documented regarding the risk of HIV transmission associated with practices common in the Islamic community, such as polygamous marriages, circumcision, and ablution of the dead. The AIDS prevention project has incorporated specific messages and interventions as a result of these findings.     

Human immunodeficiency virus infection: knowledge of the disease and attitudes toward related issues and policies among health care workers in a low-incidence nonurban hospital

We compared the knowledge and attitudes regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among employees in a tertiary care teaching hospital in a nonurban southeastern city with a relatively low incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All 260 physicians and a random sample of 240 other employees were asked to complete a 59-item anonymous mail survey. All groups of respondents, including physicians, showed a lack of understanding of critical aspects of AIDS, particularly transmission. Negative attitudes such as victim blaming and not liking to care for persons with HIV infection were common, especially among house staff and respondents who do not give hands-on care. Misinformation, aversion, fear, and lack of compassion were evidenced by a substantial proportion of the respondents, particularly house staff. The attitudes expressed suggest that there is more focus on the rights of the caregiver than on the welfare of patients. These findings show that there is a need for medical education that focuses on both knowledge and affective issues of HIV infection.     

Discontinuation of treatment with IFN-beta leads to exacerbation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats. Rapid reversal of the antiproliferative activity of IFN-beta and excessive expansion of autoreactive T cells as disease promoting mechanisms

BACKGROUND: It is important for HIV/AIDS control programmes to determine population knowledge on AIDS in order to develop appropriate Information, Education and Communication (IEC) messages. The objectives of our study were to determine the seroprevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women, female prostitutes and long-distance truck drivers and to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practice (KABP) with respect to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in these three groups in Burkina Faso. METHODS: We performed three cross-sectional serosurveys including face-to-face interviews on KABP between October 1994 and February 1995 in three population groups. RESULTS: Overall, 1,294 pregnant women, 236 long-distance truck drivers and 426 female prostitutes were recruited. HIV seroprevalence was 8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 6.6-9.6) among pregnant women, 18.6% (95% CI: 13.9-24.2) among long-distance truck drivers and 58.2% (95% CI: 53.4-62.9) in female prostitutes. The prevalence of syphilis was 2.5%, 9.3% and 15%, respectively. Most pregnant women (98%), long-distance truck drivers (96%) and female prostitutes (98%) had already heard of AIDS. However, the level of knowledge of HIV transmission routes, of risk factors for HIV transmission and of available preventive measures was very low. Consequently, 41% of pregnant women, 40% of long-distance truck drivers and an alarming 61% of female prostitutes reported that they did not feel themselves at risk for HIV. In each group, high levels of knowledge on AIDS were associated with increased awareness of AIDS risk and the adoption of preventive behaviours. Level of education was associated with knowledge of AIDS and condom use. However, in the 12 months preceding the surveys, condom use was very low among pregnant women (0.1%), long-distance truck drivers (18%) and among female prostitutes (42%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HIV is widespread in Burkina Faso and that there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate HIV prevention strategies in the general population and among core groups such as female prostitutes and long-distance truck drivers. Interventions must include information campaigns, condom promotion and distribution, and sexually transmitted diseases control.     

Correlation between history of contact with people living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) and tolerant attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and PWAs in rural Thailand

This study examines the hypothesis that people who have more contact with PWAs (people living with AIDS) are more tolerant than those who have no contact with them. Four provinces with different incidence of AIDS in 4 different regions of Thailand were selected. Structured questionnaire interviews were conducted with village people, asking about their history of contact with PWAs, and knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and PWAs (n = 434). An 'Attitude Score', which indicates an accepting attitude (or tolerance) toward HIV/AIDS and PWAs, was developed using the results of the questionnaire on attitudes. Six factors: sex, education, age, province, knowledge, and history of contact with PWAs were positively correlated with the Attitude Score. After a multiple regression analysis, contact with PWAs was significantly associated with Attitude Score. This study is one of the first analytical studies conducted in a non-Western country to show that people's tolerant attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and PWAs are positively related to their history of contact with HIV/AIDS and PWAs. This findings should have important implications for future educational programmes and preventative intervention.     

Examining HIV-related knowledge among adults in the U.S

Supplemental AIDS data from the 1987 National Health Interview Survey indicate that adults in the U.S. know the most frequent modes of HIV transmission, but lack a more comprehensive understanding of HIV and AIDS. Elements from a diffusion model were isolated to create a path-analytic framework for examining the effects of population or recipient characteristics and information sources or communication channels on HIV-related knowledge with these data. This multivariate analysis suggests that persons of lower socioeconomic status, older adults, those from racial/ethnic minority groups, those living outside of metropolitan areas, men, and those citing mass media (television or newspapers) as their primary source of information about HIV and AIDS have slightly lower levels of HIV-related knowledge. Decomposition of the effects in the path analysis suggests that use of information sources or channels, as measured by survey data, accounts for little of the observed variation in HIV-related knowledge. The implications of these results for future research and HIV-related education are discussed.     

Prognostic value of dipyridamole thallium-201 screening to minimize perioperative cardiac complications in diabetics undergoing kidney or kidney-pancreas transplantation

A survey of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding human immunodeficiency virus infection was performed on 899 students from 3 government-administered high schools located in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. Initially, all students completed a written questionnaire (pre-test) regarding HIV/AIDS. Following this, they attended a slide lecture presentation given by a specialist physician. The same test questionnaire was then completed by the same students six weeks (post-test) later for comparison of their previous KAP. The subjects composed of male to female ratio equal to that of the median age 15-16 years old. Sixty-seven per cent of the subjects were living with their parents, 16.3 per cent with relatives and 15 per cent with friends. Ninety nine per cent of the subjects had received information on HIV/AIDS before enrollment to this study. The source of knowledge ranged from television (89.1%), teachers (81.6%), pamphlets (80.2%), newspapers (75%), radio (55%), health care workers (53.4%), friends (38.6%) and only 32.5 per cent from their parents. The subjects' knowledge about HIV/AIDS and risk factors in the post-test questionnaire was significantly increased (P < 0.001) from the pre-test status. However, their attitudes to an HIV infected person were not significantly changed in the post-test questionnaire: only the "attending school" question showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased numbers of agreement. Similarly, the attitudes and practices to prevent HIV infection were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The result of this study is to recommend regular school-based programs of education to increase awareness of preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.     

HIV/AIDS risk in heterosexual college students. A review of a decade of literature

Empirical studies dealing with the psychosocial correlates of HIV risk among heterosexual college students are reviewed, including findings related to such theoretical variables as HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, personal and partner's attitudes toward condom use, perceived susceptibility, communication with sex partners, and sexual self-efficacy. Although college students are highly knowledgeable about basic HIV/AIDS facts, they retain some misperceptions about disease transmission. They hold neutral-to-negative hedonistic and practical attitudes about using condoms: those who have engaged in risky behavior accurately perceive their greater susceptibility to infection and experience anxiety regarding transmission of HIV infection. Heterosexual college students communicate infrequently with their partners about safer sex, but they often agree to a partner's suggestion that they use condoms. Higher levels of sexual self-efficacy among college students have been associated with a lower risk for HIV transmission. Limitations and clinical implications of the findings and recommendations for future interventions are discussed.     

AIDS/HIV and university students in Delhi, India: knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors

Eight hundred eighty-seven students in social work, nursing, and humanities from two major universities in Delhi were compared regarding their knowledge about AIDS/HIV and attitudes toward PWAs and homosexuals. Their scores on the 20-item knowledge test indicate fair degree of knowledge; however, they lacked information in crucial areas of AIDS prevention and human sexual anatomy. Unmarried, female and older students and those in social work and nursing disciplines scored significantly higher on correct answers. Social work students were likely to be more positive in their attitudes toward AIDS victims than those in nursing or humanities. Knowledge was positively related to attitudes and perception of risk. Despite their awareness of personal risks only four in ten used condoms sometimes during intercourse. Educational strategies to increase cognitive and affective understanding of AIDS and its victims are discussed.     

Condom use: A self-efficacy model.

A survey of heterosexually active college students gathered information about condom use, self-efficacy (SE), outcome expectancies, sexual attitudes, peer group influences, AIDS knowledge, and a perceived vulnerability to AIDS. On the basis of A. Bandura's (1986) social-cognitive theory, a structural model with SE as the central mediator was formulated and evaluated with LISREL. This model explained 46% of the variance in condom use from judgments of SE and effects attributable to peers and 53% of the variance in SE from outcome expectancies and peer group influences. Sexual attitudes, AIDS knowledge, and perceived vulnerability did not predict condom use. Most students were well-informed about HIV transmission but reported not feeling at risk, even though many engaged in risky sexual behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meal patterns prior to and following liver transplantation in rats

As the second part of a community based educational campaign to convey the risk of HIV/AIDS to commercial sex workers in Jakarta, from May-July 1995, a total of 253 male transvestites (WARIA) were questioned about their sexual behavior patterns and their knowledge and attitude toward HIV/AIDS. In the previous report, 1991-1993, there was one out of 830 WARIA found HIV positive in November 1993. In this study, 1995, a total of two out of 253 WARIA were confirmed of HIV infection in July 1995. Most of them still have incorrect knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission mode, they are still practicing high risk sexual attitudes such as an exchange partner rate of 5 men per three weeks, low condom use (1.2 out of the last 5 sexual contacts). The reasons for not using condoms were forgetfulness 35.3% and partner does not like condom 38.2% Most of WARIA know about condoms (94.5%), but it is difficult to access condom use from small shops around them. Therefore, to prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS in WARIA, condom should be used constantly and properly. It has been shown from another study, that more information, better availability and better promotion of condoms can increase condom use. Thus, attention should be placed on various ways of distributing condoms for WARIA in Jakarta, especially community-based distribution by peer leaders, social marketing and commercial sales.     

Rural school nurses' attitudes about AIDS and homosexuality

The AIDS epidemic has spread to rural areas of the United States. Conservative rural communities are facing the challenge of having children with HIV entering school. School nurses, as the only health care providers in the schools, are in a strong position to facilitate the education of children with HIV and to provide AIDS education to students, faculty, and parents. School nurses' knowledge and attitudes about AIDS and people with AIDS influence their effectiveness in prevention activities and care of HIV-infected children. This study examined the relationship between specific demographic, practice, and cultural variables and rural school nurses' attitudes about AIDS and homosexuality. Sixty-nine school nurses responded to a mailed questionnaire as part of a larger study of rural nurses. Results indicate attitudes about homosexuality were related to nurses' homosexual knowledge and religious beliefs while attitudes about AIDS were related to nurses' willingness to care for people with AIDS and feeling prepared to do so.     

Effect of replacing a high linoleate oil with a low linoleate, high alpha-linolenate oil, as compared with supplementing EPA or DHA, on reducing lipid mediator production in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Training designed to improve AIDS knowledge, attitude, and practice was delivered to 96 traditional healers in the Central African Republic. The training (17 to 36 hours) was conducted by traditional healers with the assistance of staff from the Ministry of Health. Training included the following topics: prevention of HIV transmission during traditional practice; diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; condom promotion; AIDS education at the community level; psychosocial support for people with AIDS; and promotion of a positive image for traditional healers. The evaluation of the training consisted of a prospective assessment of knowledge and attitude immediately prior to and after training. These assessments were conducted using structured interviews. Improvement in knowledge and/or attitudes was observed in all areas assessed except for prevention of HIV transmission during traditional practice. We concluded that AIDS training can be successfully delivered to traditional healers.     

African-American adolescents' knowledge, health-related attitudes, sexual behavior, and contraceptive decisions: Implications for the prevention of adolescent HIV infection.

195 African-American adolescents completed measures of knowledge related to AIDS, attitudes toward condoms, health locus of control, vulnerability to HIV infection, peer sexual norms, personal sexual behavior for the past 6 mo, and contraceptive preferences. Hotelling's T–2 tests revealed that girls were more knowledgeable about AIDS, reported fewer sexual partners, held more positive attitudes toward precautionary sexual behavior, and perceived themselves to have greater control than boys. Five variables accounted for 44% of the variance in condom use: condom use from the 1st intercourse occasion, earlier grade in school, lower belief in an external locus of control, and higher scores on the Effect on Sexual Experience and Self-Control subscales of the Condom Attitude Scale. Implications for the content, format, and timing of HIV prevention with African-American adolescents are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)